Craig Newitt convinces Tasmanian trainer Sigrid Carr to test Thespian Waters at Flemington
A word from one of Tasmania's finest racing exports was the impetus trainer Sigrid Carr needed to head across Bass Strait with Flemington hopeful Thespian Waters.
Thespian Waters has won six and placed in another seven of his 16 starts but his rating of 89 left Carr with few options in her home state for the four-year-old.
Carr sought 35-time Group 1-winning jockey Craig Newitt 's advice on whether Thespian Waters would measure up in Saturday's Funky Farm Sprint (1100m).
'It was three weeks ago that I rang Craig and asked for his advice on whether he thought it would be a suitable type of race and whether he would suit the straight (track),' Carr said.
'Straight away he was very positive about his chances and gave me a lot of confidence.'
Newitt immediately took the ride on Thespian Waters, who will carry the 54kg minimum in the $150,000 event.
Carr said Thespian Waters had overcome the first obstacle of his trip to Melbourne, easily handling the overnight sea voyage into Geelong.
'He travelled over on Monday night and he's already settled in nicely so all the early signs are good,' Carr said.
'It's very exciting.
'He got straight off the boat at the depot and was straight into his feed and his water and we stayed there an hour and a half before driving up the road to Flemington and he did the same there.'
Carr said the Flemington straight course would also pose a question for Thespian Waters, who has won three of four attempts over 1100m.
She said Thespian Waters' temperament would be a significant asset for the son of Headwater, who was narrowly beaten by Silver Eagle winner The Inevitable at his last two starts.
'We're mindful that he's in Melbourne for the first time and he's never seen Flemington before and all those type of things but he's very adaptable,' Carr said.
'He is a backmarker that won't know any different down the straight.
'I know the straight is tricky and it's one of those courses that they either handle or they don't but I am pretty confident that he will handle it because he is so adaptable.'
A win at Flemington on Saturday would give Carr, who is also a successful jockey in Tasmania, plenty to think about as she works her way back to full fitness after a terrible fall at a set of barrier trials last year.
Carr suffered neck fractures and a broken collarbone, requiring two bouts of surgery, but she was adamant she wanted to ride again before deciding where her future lies.
'I've only just, in the last 10 weeks, been back riding trackwork so it's been a very slow process getting right,' Carr said.
'I'm not saying that I won't ride again, that's for sure, because I'm still up in the air but at the moment, I'm feeling like I want to.
'But at the same time, I do understand that I've got the training there as a back-up and I really enjoy doing that.
'I'd rather end on my terms rather than forced terms.'
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