He left it until late, but Craig Newitt left Caulfield on Wednesday with his Victorian Metropolitan Jockeys' Premiership lead intact after matching Luke Nolen's one winner for the day.Newitt won the final race on the card - the Cattanach's Jewellers Handicap (1800m) - aboard the Leon Corstens-prepared Waterford Hill.Newitt had spent most of the day level with Nolen on 62 wins after the premiership winner of the past two seasons partnered Storm Burst to victory in the opening event, but was thril

He left it until late, but Craig Newitt left Caulfield on Wednesday with his Victorian Metropolitan Jockeys' Premiership lead intact after matching Luke Nolen's one winner for the day.

Newitt won the final race on the card - the Cattanach's Jewellers Handicap (1800m) - aboard the Leon Corstens-prepared Waterford Hill.

Newitt had spent most of the day level with Nolen on 62 wins after the premiership winner of the past two seasons partnered Storm Burst to victory in the opening event, but was thrilled to edge his way back in front.

He also predicted bigger things for the son of Encosta de Lago, who overcame a pronounced betting drift and the slow track to make it four wins on end at just his sixth start.

After settling second-last, Waterford Hill ($3 to $4.60) tracked into the race rounding the home turn before asserting his superiority in the final 200m. He surged away to score by 2-1/4 lengths from Golago ($19) with Go My Girl ($21) a half-neck back in third.

"He stepped a bit slow and after I'd gone a couple of furlongs I thought I was in a bit of strife because he never appreciated that ground one bit," Newitt said.

"He's definitely got a really good future. He sat back (in the field) then - they rolled along at an even tempo, didn't go hard - but he circled field, which has been very hard to do today, and won with a bit of authority.

"I think the further he goes the better he'll get, especially back on top of the ground."

Earlier, Nolen made a dream start to his first meeting back in Australia since partnering Black Caviar to Diamond Jubilee Stakes victory at Royal Ascot when he romped home in the $30,000 BMW Handicap (2000m) aboard Storm Burst.

After settling midfield, Nolen edged Storm Burst into the clear rounding the home turn and launched a powerful run down the centre of the track that carried the daughter of Danehill Dancer to a 1-3/4-length win over Umatain.

The four-year-old turned the tables on stablemate Aeronwy - who finished fourth - from their previous outing and Nolen said the wet track was crucial to her breaking through after four minor placings in a row.

"She's probably been a little bit frustrating, but back on the genuine wet conditions was in her favour," Nolen said. "She had the race at her mercy a long way out."

Nolen doesn't have to wait long to try and peg back Newitt's lead, having accumulated rides in seven of the eight races at Saturday's Caulfield card, including five for Storm Burst's all-conquering trainer Peter Moody.

Newitt is confirmed for five rides to date at Saturday's meeting, which is one of 10 metro meetings remaining before the season concludes on July 31.

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