Lyle Hewitson happy after his double (HKJC.COM)
Lyle Hewitson reached 38 wins for the season in Hong Kong when riding a double at Happy Valley on Wednesday.
He is in joint fifth place on the Hong log and has stakes earnings of a cool HK$52,209,300.
His first win on Wednesday was in a class 4 handicap over 1650m on the Francis Lui-trained Holy Roman Emperor seven-year-old gelding London Luckystar.
It was London Luckystar’s second win on the trot and fifth win this season, although Hewitson’s only previous ride on him was last season when fifth over 1400m in a class 5 event.
Hewitson rousted to get to the front before the turn and had to roust extra hard as they entered the turn to ensure he was far enough ahead to cut across to the rail.
However, that exertion did not take its toll on London Luckystar because in the straight he kicked ahead and gained an unassailable lead, winning in the end by 2,25 lengths.
Lyle’s second win on Wednesday was in a class 3 handicap over 1200m on the Jimmy Ting-trained Choisir five-year-old gelding Magic Phoenix.
He jumped best of all from draw 5, but was content to sit tight as a horse on his inside and outside drove for a joint lead.
Hewitson was able to then get the rail just before the turn and followed the leader into the straight before switching out to take the lead.
His mount only just held on from a flying Wonder Kit.
It was Hewitson’s third ride on Magic Phoenix and he had previously had a third place on him.