Reigning SA Champion Jockey Lyle Hewitson spoke to Turf Talk following his first Hong Kong double on Sunday.

 

Both winners required a lot of assistance from the saddle and only a superbly fit jockey would have been able to pull them off.

 

Hewitson confirmed he keeps up a strict fitness regime and elaborated, “I excercise seven days a week to be honest. I predominantly cycle and run. I usually go out after trackwork in the mornings to do a cycle between 20-36km depending on which route we go, or otherwise I go for a jog. Many times I do both in the same day (one in the morning and one in the evening). Some days I will change that up and go for a hike. So fitness and conditioning off the course is a big factor and something I take very seriously here to keep strong, fit and have the weight in check.”

 

His double on the David Hall-trained Kung Fu Tea (Shocking) and Douglas Whyte-trained Super Ten (Ocean Park) took him to seven winners for the season.

 

He commented, “A double on any day is super but to have it on the first meeting where owners were back on course and on a prestigious day like Champions Day is awesome.”

 

Asked whether it could open new doors he concluded, “Hopefully it does mean more widespread opportunity and relationships but it’s up to me to keep the momentum rolling and make sure to kick in from here.”

 

Picture: Hewitson gets up in Sunday’s tenth race on Super Ten (HKJC).