Latest news with #LyleHewitson
South China Morning Post
09-05-2025
- Sport
- South China Morning Post
Lyle Hewitson hoping for an awesome foursome on improving Invincible Shield at Sha Tin
The South African jockey will hop aboard the progressive galloper for the first time on Saturday Lyle Hewitson is hoping Invincible Shield can continue his rapid rise up the ratings and notch a brilliant four-timer in the Class Two Pok Fu Lam Reservoir Road Handicap (1,200m) at Sha Tin on Saturday. Francis Lui Kin-wai's galloper was a well-beaten 11th on his local debut but has done nothing but improve since, securing his first win in the form of a gutsy Class Three win over course and distance back in February. He followed that up by powering away late in another course and distance Class Three one month later, but he really hit the headlines with a Class Two 1,400m win over a smart field on Champions Day. It will be the first time Hewitson has ridden the I Am Invincible colt in a race and he knows he has a real fight on his hands to keep his horse looking invincible against a stacked field. Invincible Shield is SERIOUSLY GOOD! 🫡 Francis Lui's burgeoning sprinter makes it a hat-trick of wins at Sha Tin and first in Class 2 with @CWilliamsJockey up...#FWDChampionsDay | #HKracing — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) April 27, 2025 'I was supposed to ride him the second time he ran but unfortunately I was suspended and then missed the boat, so I struggled to get on him,' said Hewitson. 'He impressed me from day one. I always thought he was a Class One horse and that there was scope for improvement later on as well. It's getting harder now that he's racked up the rating points and I'm probably getting on at the toughest stage. 'It's a nice race but he'll handle himself well and he will perform – hopefully he can continue his winning ways but it's getting more difficult. 'Every time, except first time out, he's had a perfect scenario with the race shape and draws. He does have a nice draw in five and it could work out for him again, but we're going to have to be on our game to win a race like this.' The 27-year-old currently sits on the 19-winner mark for the campaign but he has endured a further 35 second-place finishes and 29 thirds during what has been a frustrating season at times. Hewitson was also forced to bounce back from another setback after he hit the Sha Tin turf back in December and suffered a knee injury and heavy bruising to his quadriceps. It continued his wretched luck with injuries, with the South African previously fracturing his pelvis in a horror fall in the 2021 Group One Hong Kong Sprint (1,200m) early in his Hong Kong tenure.
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.'
