Lyle Hewitson Rides The Gold Cup Favourite

Lyle Hewitson hold the Gold Cup after winning the race on the Sean Tarry-trained Nebraas in 2021 (Picture: Candiese Lenferna) 

Lyle Hewitson, who won the Gold Cup aboard Nebraas in 2021, will be aboard the trophy holder and favourite this year, the Gareth van Zyl-trained King Pelles.

Gavin van Zyl, Gareth’s father and assistant trainer, said, “Lyle Hewitson’s agent phoned Gareth and made Lyle available. It is wonderful to have a three-times SA Champion jockey and a good rider like Lyle aboard and we’re hoping for a bit of luck in running and a good run.”

The Drakenstein Stud-bred five-year-old Duke Of Marmalade gelding comes off a fine run in the Hollywoodbets Durban July, where he was the first older horse home, finishing a 1,55 length third despite not enjoying the best of luck.

Approaching the straight he was in the perfect position behind the favourite Wish List. However, Gladatorian then switched off the rail and pushed him outward, but with Hazy Dazy holding her ground on his outside he was squeezed out.

Gavin said, “It cost him two lengths at a crucial stage and he then had to make up those extra two lengths which made a difference. He would have had first run on the winner and would probably have been able to attack Wish List sooner. The ifs and buts about the race were definitely about that movement and I think it was definitely significant.”

Chad Scofield was aboard for the July, but has commitments in Australia, whereas it suits Lyle Hewitson because the race meetings falls during the Hong Kong off season.

In past years when Lyle has been here for the Hong Kong off season he has been able to be at Summerveld a day or two before Gold Cup day.

Gavin said, “I don’t know what Lyle’s travel plans are, but I am sure he will have an opportunity to sit on King Pelles before the day. But he’s not a horse where you are going to feel anything on the track, he’s just very workmanlike, does his thing and doesn’t overdo it.”

Gavin said about the draw of six out of 13 and about King Pelles’ well-being, “It’s a lovely draw. He’s come out of the July very well. He was lightly raced into the July to protect his weight. He went into the race with one prep run over 1400m two months before the July, it’s not ideal but with the conditions being the way they are we are forced to try and do that. And so he was lightly raced into the July and and has come out of it fresh and well.”

Gavin is not a believer in the theory that horses who avoid the July are at an advantage on Gold Cup day because they come in fresher.

He said, “Gladatorian disproved it last year by winning the Champions Cup and many other horses have disproved it too. It is just a myth. I had The Apache and Bulsara running fourth and fifth in the July one year, and they then came and finished first and second in the Champions Cup, and last year King Pelles won the Gold Vase on July day and he still came and won the Gold Cup.”

King Pelles has an exceptional turn of foot for a horse who stays two miles and he can repeat his feat of carrying topweight to victory, although he must do it off a 122 merit rating this year as opposed to a 118 last year.

He has been made the 2/1 favourite with Hollywoodbets and Gold Vase winner Ahead Of The Facts is next in the betting at 33/10.

The Gold Cup field is shown below: