A bold tactical decision to hug the inside fence at Flemington on Saturday proved the masterstroke as the Bjorn Baker-trained Caballus produced a blistering all-the-way performance to secure an upset 2026 Newmarket Handicap result down the iconic “Straight Six.”

2026 Newmarket Handicap winner Caballus led all-the-way for an impressive upset in the sprint classic at HQ. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos.

Despite winning two of his previous four outings, the talented I Am Invincible gelding arrived as an underrated contender.

However, he reached a new career peak to clinch his first elite-level victory in the Group 1 $2 million Newmarket Handicap (1200m) on All-Star Mile Day.

Second-up following a strong runner-up finish behind Joliestar in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes, Caballus validated that form perfectly; coincidentally, Joliestar secured her own Group 1 glory in Randwick’s Canterbury Stakes just moments later.

The victory also provided a historic moment for jockey Craig Newitt, who steered the five-year-old for the first time in the sprint classic and claimed a record-breaking fourth win in the race.

“It’s been a process this week to work out what was going to go on with Hugh (Bowman) coming (but didn’t get his weight) and what were going to be the alternatives,” stable representative Luke Hilton told Racing Victoria post-race.

“Scott Darby was heavily involved and myself and Curtis Scott said he wanted Froggy (Newitt).

“He does his homework and he’s won four of them now, he’s used to winning them and it’s an amazing effort by the team to get the result today. It’s huge.”

The Newmarket has long been a successful stomping ground for Newitt.

This win marked his first since partnering The Quarterback in 2016, moving him into a league of his own as the race’s most successful rider.

“Quite emotional, actually,” Newitt said.

“10 years, 11 years probably since my last one.

“So, it’s been a while, but I’ve been sitting equal leader on the most amount of Newmarket wins, probably the most historic race in Australia at the moment, apart from the Melbourne Cup, especially for sprinting.

“To be the most winningest rider, I’m very honoured.”

Dashing straight to the lead from the inside stall, Caballus maintained his position along the rail to lead throughout, eventually holding off Gallant Son by a quarter-length.

Angel Capital rounded out the Newmarket Handicap trifecta in third after a prominent run.

“We thought it (barrier one) could be with us, it could be against us,” Hilton added.

“The way the track played earlier in the day in the sprint races they were coming down the outside and halfway through the day, Bjorn rang me and said should we go straight to the inside fence.

“I said, let’s see what Froggy thinks, and Froggy came out and said if everyone is OK, I want to go to the inside fence.

“We expected everyone to go to the outside fence and thought that might have been to our advantage, but they followed us and he was too good.”

The stable is now eyeing a trip north for the Group 1 $3 million TJ Smith Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on April 4.

Following the win, Caballus has seen his odds slashed from $26 to $15 in futures 2026 TJ Smith Stakes betting at Ladbrokes.

“Bjorn has done an amazing job with him and Darby (Racing) who picked him up as an on-line purchase,” Hilton noted.

“He did a good job as a colt, but he wasn’t performing to his level.

“We gelded him, gave him time and he’s gone from strength to strength with each preparation.

“The more Bjorn has been able work with him, the better he’s got and he’s really improved over the last six months and he’s a Group 1 winner.

“It’s a great achievement by the team.”

Meanwhile, the boom colt Tentyris saw his market price ease after finishing fifth as the beaten odds-on favourite.

Despite the loss, he was only 1.5 lengths off the winner while lugging a significant 57kg.

“The horse ran very well, just the way the track’s racing they’ve stayed right down near the rail,” Tentyri’s jockey Mark Zahra said.

“We drew out, we were around the right horses when we got out, he’s in the middle of the track and nothing around him gave him some chase, the ones on the inside was just a different race.”

2026 Newmarket Handicap Results & Finishing Order

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