South African jockey Lyle Hewitson tasted his first success in Australia on Monday, breaking through with the ninth ride of his stint Down Under.
Hewitson started his Australian stint at Pakenham a week ago and it was at the same Victorian racetrack that he delivered to start the week, saluting aboard Peridot Star for Phillip Stokes.
“It was a bit of a steer job for me and I am just really grateful,” Hewitson told racing.com.
“She’s a bit of a hot filly. She did get a bit worked up, but fortunately when the gates opened, she was the ultimate professional. I kind of thought that after 200m, I had the race in my own hands.
"Peridot Star won it in a cakewalk."@pstokesracing's Shalaa filly runs them into the ground in the opener ⭐@LyleHewitson is on the board in Australia! pic.twitter.com/jwfMPSpJZQ
— Racing.com (@Racing) August 12, 2024
“I haven’t had too many rides. I understand it’s quite difficult. But it’s nice to be able to get around – I’ve been able to work at a few places and meet some lovely people.
“I’m grateful to someone like Mr Stokes and his team, who have given me this opportunity. Well done to them. The yard was pretty confident and I just had to do my job and the horse did the rest.”
Hewitson plans to ride in Australia for another week or so before returning to Hong Kong to prepare for the 2024-25 season, which kicks off at Sha Tin on September 8.
Hewitson’s countryman Keagan de Melo has also been plying his trade abroad and the 30-year-old rode one winner at Turffontein on Saturday, taking his off-season tally in South Africa to four.
Meanwhile, Vincent Ho Chak-yiu remains sidelined after receiving a trio of whip suspensions in the United Kingdom and he will next be seen in the World All-Star Jockeys series in Japan later this month.
Apprentice Wong allocated to Hall
Apprentice rider Britney Wong Po-ni will ply her trade under the tutelage of David Hall, the Jockey Club has confirmed.
Wong, who begins her Hong Kong career at the start of the new season after 50 wins in Australia, is Hall’s first apprentice since Matthew Poon Ming-fai enjoyed a fruitful stint with the veteran Australian trainer.
Wong, the first female to be handed a licence by the Jockey Club since Kei Chiong Ka-kei, is currently in New Zealand to continue her preparation for the coming season.
After a series of rides in trials, the 25-year-old has three race rides at Cambridge on Wednesday.
HKIR for King George star?
December’s Longines Hong Kong International Races are being considered by connections of French galloper Goliath, who left a star-studded field in his wake in the Group One King George VI And Queen Elizabeth Qipco Stakes (2,400m) at Ascot last month.
Missed The King George VI and Queen Elizabeth QIPCO Stakes earlier? Watch the full race here ⬇️ pic.twitter.com/P0Jg78jMUx
— Ascot Racecourse (@Ascot) July 27, 2024
Just where Goliath heads next after brushing aside the likes of Bluestocking, Rebel’s Romance and Auguste Rodin remains up in the air, but trainer Francis Graffard told the Racing Post over the weekend that “one out of the Japan Cup or Hong Kong at the end of the year would be suitable”.
Goliath’s King George romp came on ground listed as good to firm and the four-year-old could be well suited by a trip to Sha Tin for the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2,400m), which was won last year by French galloper Junko.
