Picture: Hewitson and Rising From Ashes are easy winners of the 6th race at Happy Valley today (Wednesday) (HKJC)
Lyle Hewitson has been in demand in Hong Kong this season but scored blanks in his first three meetings, so would have been relieved to have a winner at Happy Valley today.
His ex-pat South African colleagues Luke Ferraris and Keagan de Melo had three rides each today and a third place finish by Ferraris was the best they could manage.
Hewitson had his 28th ride of the season and first win of the season on the Francis Lui-trained six-year-old Shamus Award gelding Rising From Ashes.
The Australian-bred was backed in to second favourite paying R4.00 on the Tote.
Jumping from pole position in the 1650m class 3 contest, Hewitson relaxed his mount from the off and was happy to sit on the rail in midfield.
He switched his mount off the rail on the final turn and coming down the centre the gelding ran on strongly to win cosily by 2,25 lengths.
Another South African Jockeys Academy graduate Karis Teetan rode a double on the day.
Hugh Bowman won the first three races and he has opened up a four win lead in the jockeys championship on Zac Purton, who only had one win today.
Bowman has had nine wins to Purton’s five. Teetan is next best on four and Ferraris and Chung are on three.
