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South China Morning Post
18-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Lyle Hewitson eyes Happy Valley feature before Hong Kong Derby bid on Steps Ahead
Lyle Hewitson has high hopes for Full Credit at Happy Valley and Steps Ahead in the Hong Kong Derby on Sunday. Photos: Kenneth Chan Lyle Hewitson hopes to strike on Full Credit in Wednesday night's feature at Happy Valley before chasing BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) glory on Steps Ahead on Sunday. The South African jockey continues his association with Full Credit in the Class Two Sports Handicap (1,200m), having ridden the Mark Newnham-trained gelding in all but three of his 15 career starts. A three-time winner last season, the son of Va Pensiero has won on the Sha Tin dirt and added six placings in an ultra-consistent campaign heading into the highlight of Wednesday night's nine-race card. It will be his second start at the city circuit after he ran a close third to Brave Star on his first attempt in November. Nice one, Full Credit! 🙌 Mark Newnham scoops a double at Sha Tin as the speedster becomes a winner on the dirt as well as turf with @LyleHewitson... #LoveRacing | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) December 29, 2024 'His form speaks for itself and he's a genuine horse,' Hewitson said. 'It's a very good race, he's got an awkward draw [barrier seven] and he's yet to win at the Valley, but he's just consistent and with a good run, I think he's an obvious chance. 'For me, it's working out where we're going to be on the speed map. He seems to have enjoyed sitting off them in recent times. Now up in class, a lot of these horses have early speed and this race looks no different. We're not just hell-bent on leading now, we'll just decide what's going to be the best option for him.' A fast-finishing third to Magic Control down the Sha Tin straight last start, Full Credit must overcome tough opposition headlined by the in-form Beauty Destiny and fellow last-start winners Aurora Lady, Son Pak Fu and Gustosismo in the Sports Handicap. Frankie Lor Fu-chuen's Beauty Destiny has won four of his past five starts – all over 1,200m at the Valley. Hewitson also rated Wonder Kit a top chance in the Class Three Tin Lok Handicap (1,200m) while Smiling Emperor, One For All, Casa Rochester and Notthesillyone are his other midweek rides. The 27-year-old will then switch his focus to an upset in the city's most prestigious race on Sunday, with Steps Ahead tackling the Derby after finishing strongly for fifth behind Rubylot in the Classic Cup (1,800m) on March 2. 'I'm realistic of the fact that his rating reflects his ability and he's up against it on the ratings,' Hewitson said of the 83-rater. 'But what I do like about him is he's a tactically versatile horse and he's very easy to ride, so I'm not going out there knowing I have to switch him off or I have to send him to the front. 'I can ride him completely according to the draw and how the race unfolds and I think that's a nice trick to have up your sleeve, knowing you're on a horse that can adapt to situations easily.' Hewitson believes the mile will be Steps Ahead's preferred distance in the future, but he doesn't need to be a stayer to make an impact in the Derby. 'We know that four-year-olds in their own age group and the Derby especially, you don't need to be a 10-furlong horse to go well in it,' Hewitson said. 'He's an 1,800m winner – yes it was off a slow pace and he had all the favours, but he also ran well in the Classic Cup. We're adding on an extra furlong and whether he gets it truly or not, I think his genuine side will help him get the trip.'
South China Morning Post
17-03-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Good times keep rolling for James Orman as he lands first Hong Kong Derby ride
Plenty has gone right for James Orman during his first month in Hong Kong and the 27-year-old will look to continue that momentum when he jumps aboard the Tony Cruz-trained Californiatotality in the BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) at Sha Tin this Sunday. Victorious with two of the first six rides of his initial six-week contract, Orman has already had his stay extended until the end of the season and now he will take part in Hong Kong's most coveted contest for the first time. 'It's great news,' said the Australian. 'I'm just excited to have a Derby ride, for one, and it's great to have one that looks like he can be a good chance in the race if he can get circumstances to suit. 'It looks like anything could win the race and I'm riding for a gun trainer, too, so I can't wait.' While Californiatotality won't demand the attention of some of the bigger names in the build-up to this weekend, two of his three wins this season have been over 1,800m and he will be sent out by a Hong Kong legend with two Derby wins on his training CV. 'He looks like he should run the distance, so that's a positive, and it looks a fairly open race,' said Orman. For Orman, a three-time champion jockey in Queensland, earning a Derby mount is just the next step in continuing to entrench himself in the city's riding ranks. 'I'm really happy. I've just got to keep building the relationships with everyone and keep trying to ride good races every time,' said the jockey, who has five rides at Happy Valley on Wednesday night including the smart Aurora Lady in the evening's Class Two. Cruz will take a two-pronged attack into Sunday's Derby, confirming Karis Teetan will replace James McDonald aboard his other runner, Stunning Peach. 'I'm very happy with both of them, they're going well. They'll get the 2,000m, which is a positive,' he said. 'The 2,000m is definitely more appropriate for Stunning Peach.' Like Orman, Cruz looks a winning chance in the Class Two Sports Handicap (1,200m) at the midweek meeting, saddling up Son Pak Fu, Superb Capitalist and Gustosisimo. 'Son Pak Fu is pretty good at Happy Valley. He does have top weight to carry but he's still the better horse of my three, I reckon,' said Cruz. Son Pak Fu dives late to claim Copartner Prance! Tony Cruz's charge gets the Class 1 win under a supreme @mattLchadwixk ride at Happy Valley... 💥#HappyWednesday | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) February 26, 2025 In other Derby jockey news, William Buick will jet into ride Markwin for Cody Mo Wai-kit, joining Joao Moreira (Packing Angel), Ryan Moore (Mickley), Christophe Soumillon (Noisy Boy) and Craig Williams (Cap Ferrat) in descending on Sha Tin for the HK$26 million showcase. Looking further ahead, the Jockey Club has received 23 entries for the two Group Two contests on March 30. The Chairman's Trophy (1,600m) is likely to have a full field, with big names Beauty Eternal and Galaxy Patch joined by the likes of Beauty Joy, Chancheng Glory, Five G Patch, Mugen, Straight Arron and Sunlight Power among 15 nominations. Connections of only seven gallopers have shown a willingness to tackle Ka Ying Rising in the Sprint Cup (1,200m), with Beauty Waves, Copartner Prance, California Spangle, Gorgeous Win, Helios Express, Lucky With You and Magic Control setting their sights on the world's best sprinter.
