On the cusp of riding his 100th Hong Kong winner, Lyle Hewitson hopes Chancheng Glory can advance growing Four-Year-Old Classic Series claims when the gelding contests the Class 3 (restricted) Tin Shui Wai Handicap (1600m) at Sha Tin on Saturday (13 January).
Rated 79, Chancheng Glory has been a revelation for Francis Lui since blinkers and a crossed nose band were added to the American-bred galloper’s gear, resulting in four consecutive 1600m wins – two for Hewitson and twice for Harry Bentley – to emerge as a likely contender for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on 4 February.
Drawn in barrier seven, Chancheng Glory will carry 131lb against solely four-year-old opposition in what shapes as a sighter for the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Series, which also features the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on 3 March and the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on 24 March.
“He (Chancheng Glory) has been an absolute soldier throughout his career pretty much, but this season he’s taken it to new heights and hopefully he can do that again – which he will need to because he’s going to be giving away weight to his rivals and that makes it a lot tougher, but he’s in such good form but he keeps improving and I’m looking forward to it,” Hewitson said.
“I’ve always been of the opinion that he’ll get better with the extra ground, however that has to be seen to be believed so at this stage he’s been enjoying it (the mile) and hopefully he continues his fruitful ways.”
With 19 wins this season, Hewitson sits seventh in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship behind Zac Purton (50), Karis Teetan (35), Hugh Bowman (26), Angus Chung (21), Vincent Ho (21) and Andrea Atzeni.