He might be missing out on a few rides this Sunday because of a Typhoon Koinu-fuelled log jam of runners, but Lyle Hewitson’s frustrations were allayed on Monday afternoon when he picked up the mount on last-start Group One winner Russian Emperor.
Hewitson was set to have eight rides at Sha Tin before Typhoon Koinu forced the cancellation of last weekend’s meeting, causing headaches for trainers and jockeys alike.
Three of his intended book – Big Red, Dragon Delight and Xponential – will race at Sha Tin this weekend. However, Hewitson will not be able to ride them because he is already committed to other runners.
“I actually thought it might have been difficult for me to have a winner on Sunday with the rides I had, but the one thing was they were all in good form off their previous runs,” said Hewitson, one of a host of jockeys in a similar boat as the 114 horses entered for last weekend look for somewhere to race.
“I thought it was going to be a day where I was around the money and just needing a touch of luck to get one home.
“There are three running in the new entries [for this weekend] I’ve missed out on. I can’t ride them because I’ve got rides in the races. It’s very frustrating.”
However, one galloper Hewitson will ride this weekend is three-time Group One winner Russian Emperor, who lines up in a Group Two Sha Tin Trophy (1,600m) that shapes as the race of the season so far.
While Hugh Bowman was in the saddle for Russian Emperor’s last-start success in the Group One Champions & Chater Cup (2,400m), the Australian jockey will partner star miler California Spangle in Sunday’s contest.
While there is a chance Bowman jumps back aboard for the Douglas Whyte-trained Russian Emperor’s main targets up in trip later in the season, Hewitson is happy to be on the six-year-old’s back, at least for now.
“I’d spoken to Douglas and just said ‘Look, I know there are no guarantees going forward, but if you’d like me to ride the horse, I don’t have a ride’,” said Hewitson, who partnered Russian Emperor to a first-up 12th in last term’s Sha Tin Trophy.
“His first run isn’t his best – he gets better with racing. He always has more to do than his first-up run over a mile, but it could pour down with rain and he could grow legs.
“At least I’m putting myself in the right position if the ride is available [later in the season].”
Before turning his attention to the weekend, Hewitson heads to Happy Valley on Wednesday night with seven rides.
He is looking forward to partnering another Whyte-trained galloper, Swift Ascend, on his Hong Kong debut in the Class Three Cha Kwo Ling Handicap (1,200m), while he also replaces Bowman aboard Dennis Yip Chor-hong’s Superb Move as the last-start winner rises in grade for the Class Four Tiu Keng Leng Handicap (1,650m).
“I kind of like Swift Ascend in the last. I think he’s a nice type. It’s a hard rating to start off with in Hong Kong. To then be given the wide draw as well, he’s got everything against him, but I think he’s got a bit of ability. I’m looking forward to riding him,” Hewitson said of the 65-rated galloper, who jumps from gate 10.
“Superb Move also got given the wide barrier [11] just to help. He’s got a lot to do on his last win. I think that Class Five was a weak one, but hopefully, he’ll get confidence from winning. With the lighter weight, hopefully, he can show a bit of improvement still.”
Comments
Denial of responsibility! My Droll is an automatic aggregator of Global media. In each content, the hyperlink to the primary source is specified. All trademarks belong to their rightful owners, and all materials to their authors. For any complaint, please reach us at – [email protected]. We will take necessary action within 24 hours.
