Above: Thumbs up! Craig Newitt points Lady Hepburn toward the winners’ stall after the first race at Cranbourne on Sunday. – Glen Atwell
JOCKEY Craig Newitt was suspended for 12 meetings after he was found guilty of a careless riding charge in the first race at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Newitt piloted Lady Hepburn to victory in the 1000-metre maiden, but was found to have allowed his mount to shift in at the 600-metre turn, severely checking Kopotrice and Expeditionnaire.
The suspension came hours after Newitt partnered unbeaten four-year-old Light Fantastic in a rousing gallop at Caulfield on Saturday.
Newitt is booked to ride the star grey in the Group 2 Liston Stakes on 16 August, the day after his licence will be reinstated.
The suspension will cost Newitt a full book of rides at Flemington on Saturday.
