On a night dominated by the milestone achievements of Zac Purton and John Size, the enduring resilience of Lyle Hewitson and Keith Yeung was deservedly rewarded when the pair ended frustrating absences from the winners’ circle with overdue success at Happy Valley on Wednesday (2 March).
Purton extended his lead over arch-rival Joao Moreira to four wins with a treble, reaching 80 wins for the season in the process, while 11-time champion Size was the first trainer hit 50 victories for the term to lead Frankie Lor 50-49.
But while Purton and Size continued remarkable campaigns, the efforts of Hewitson and Yeung to end long losing streaks served as a reminder of the value of persistence.
Badly injured in the G1 LONGINES Hong Kong Sprint (1200m) at Sha Tin on 12 December, Hewitson terminated an 83-ride run of outs when Douglas Whyte’s Valiant Elegance led throughout to win the second section of the Class 4 Chatham Handicap (1200m) in the South African’s first victory since 5 December – ironically, aboard Valiant Elegance.
With 26 minor placings and seven wins leading into Wednesday’s meeting, Yeung had been similarly tested by the racing Gods but his determination was rewarded aboard David Hayes-trained Red Majesty in the second section of the Class 3 Bulkeley Handicap (1650m) in an uplifting success for both jockey and trainer.
Yeung had not ridden a winner since partnering Jimmy Ting’s Untold Riches at Sha Tin on 27 December, enduring the frustration of 103 mounts without a win, while Hayes is recovering from COVID-19.
“It’s been a long time since the last winner I had and the last winner I had for David Hayes,” Yeung said. “It was a tight finish, he was a little bit tired at the end but I had an easy run. We led without pressure, which makes it easier for him and he’s a horse who needs to keep the pace going.”