Blake Shinn and Antino stand between Craig Newitt and a drought-breaking win in the AU$1 million (approx. HK$4.88 million) G1 Doomben Cup (2000m) at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday (24 May).

Newitt, who famously tasted success at Royal Ascot in 2007 with victory on Miss Andretti in the G2 King’s Stand Stakes (1000m), has not partnered a Group 1 winner since Extreme Choice’s triumph in the 2016 G1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley, but he hopes Ciaron Maher-trained Pride Of Jenni can propel him to another elite win this weekend.

“It’s been nearly nine years since my last Group 1, hopefully she (Pride Of Jenni) can deliver one on Saturday. I haven’t had the big success on her yet, hopefully that’s next Saturday,” Newitt said.

“She’s a little bit older now, but I still firmly believe she can (still) win Group 1 races.”

With 33 Group 1 victories to his credit, Newitt galloped Pride Of Jenni on Monday (19 May) before the mare travelled north to Brisbane in quest of her first Group 1 since her spectacular six and a half lengths victory over Via Sistina in the 2024 G1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick when ridden by Declan Bates.

Newitt has partnered Pride Of Jenni to two wins from three starts this preparation, including the G2 Peter Young Stakes (1800m) and the Listed Anniversary Vase (1600m) under 61kg (135lb) on 3 May.

Pride Of Jenni will start from barrier one this weekend, while Antino will jump from barrier ten under Shinn in the 12-horse field.

“I worked her last week, she’s going well, so full steam ahead. We know she’s got the ability, it’s a matter of getting her there in the right frame of mind and in A-1 condition – if that’s right at the start line, I’m sure she’ll make it an exciting race,” Newitt said.

“She’s a champion mare in her own right, she’s just got to turn up and deliver her best and her best is good enough to beat anyone.”

Antino’s trainer Tony Gollan dismisses suggestions the Doomben Cup is a two-horse race between his champion and Pride Of Jenni.

“We are well aware there are many chances and it’s probably as strong a Doomben Cup as we have seen for some time,” Gollan said. “I don’t think I have seen a Doomben Cup for some time with so many chances in it and it will be such a good betting race.”

Antino, who finished 11th behind Voyage Bubble in the HK$36 million G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Mile (1600m) at Sha Tin in December, returned to top form with a three and a half lengths win under Shinn in the G2 A D Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Gold Coast on heavy ground on 10 May.

Antino beat a string of Doomben Cup contenders in the A D Hollindale Stakes including Fawkner Park (second) and Bois D’Argent (sixth), who are trained by Annabel & Rob Archibald, who will also saddle My Oberon in Saturday’s feature.

“Antino’s shown that he’s right up there with the best horses going around and Pride Of Jenni needs no introduction,” Archibald said. “We’re quite happy being the slight underdogs. I know what our horse (Fawkner Park) is capable of if he gets the right set-up and I know he can mix it with those two if we get the right conditions and he’s there in his best order.

“I like the focus being on those two and hopefully we can just sneak in behind them.”

Bois D’Argent won the Doomben Cup last year for Shinn but will be ridden this Saturday by Ryan Maloney.

Matthew Poon takes the ride in an Australian Group 1 for the first time, partnering former British stayer Klondike for John O’Shea & Tom Charlton.