By Racing and Sports
Hawkesbury trainer Mitch Newman won’t mind putting jockey Adrian Layt on his horses anytime soon, especially if they are outside chances.
Newman brought off a splendid training performance when he scored first-up with $17 shot Don’t Nicme on Newcastle’s inner Beaumont track last Saturday.
Layt made it two wins from only three rides for Newman when he partnered the four-year-old to win the Benchmark 65 Handicap (1350m).
He had his first ride for the trainer at Muswellbrook on Melbourne Cup day last year and clinched an $81 upset on [Niello’s Shadow.
Layt’s only other mount for Newman was also on the Beaumont track earlier in the day on Saturday when two-year-old Ahern on debut finished down the course in a 1250m Maiden.
Don’t Nicme’s Beaumont success was his third from 14 starts, and his trainer’s fourth winner in the current season.
The Nicconi gelding had not started since finishing fifth over 1900m at Canterbury last October.
Newman gave him two trials – at Randwick on January 12 and Warwick Farm 13 days later – to ready him for a first-up assignment.
Layt quickly had him settling in second place behind leader Rocco In The House ($10) and challenged him strongly on straightening.
Don’t Nicme took a slender lead and had to fight hard to maintain it from Rocco In The House, scoring narrowly.
Meanwhile, fellow Hawkesbury trainer Tony McEvoy landed a quinella at Canberra last Friday – but not the way punters wanted.
McEvoy’s Duperie Saga 
edged out stablemate Dreadlock , the $1.80 favorite, in the Benchmark 63 Handicap (1600m).
Both horses put up excellent performances as neither appeared to appreciate the soft going.
Duperie Saga, a Real Saga three-year-old, made it two wins from only eight starts and looks as though he has a future over ground.
His first success was in a Goulburn Maiden (1400m) on December 15.Layt quickly had him settling in second place behind leader Rocco In The House ($10) and challenged him strongly on straightening.
Don’t Nicme took a slender lead and had to fight hard to maintain it from Rocco In The House, scoring narrowly.
Meanwhile, fellow Hawkesbury trainer Tony McEvoy landed a quinella at Canberra last Friday – but not the way punters wanted.
McEvoy’s Duperie Saga ($7.50) edged out stablemate Dreadlock ($1.80 favorite) in the Benchmark 63 Handicap (1600m).
Both horses put up excellent performances as neither appeared to appreciate the soft going.
Duperie Saga, a Real Saga three-year-old, made it two wins from only eight starts and looks as though he has a future over ground.
His first success was in a Goulburn Maiden (1400m) on December 15.
Read the article at http://www.racingandsports.com.au/en/racing-around…