Lyle Hewitson removed luck from the equation aboard Highland Rahy (126lb) and the rider found a willing partner as Francis Lui’s galloper secured a first Hong Kong win in the Class 4 Ireland Trophy Handicap (1650m) at Happy Valley tonight (Wednesday, 12 March).
Successful in Ireland pre-import, Highland Rahy fired to an uncontested lead under Hewitson from barrier seven and never looked back, clutching onto a three quarter length victory over a ground-making Viva Graciousness (135lb) in the HK$1.17 million feature race.
“I think he’s (Highland Rahy) found a mark now where he should be winning and it’s probably been frustrating that he hasn’t,” Hewitson said. “He showed how he wants to race – he wants to roll, pick up and just build into it.”
Gearing up to ride Steps Ahead in the HK$26 million 148th BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on Sunday week (23 March), Hewitson lifted his haul to 16 wins this season, also riding a double last Sunday (9 March) at Sha Tin.
Following a recent near miss atop Highland Rahy, the 27-year-old jockey was delighted to repay connections with breakthrough success on the American-bred gelding tonight.
“He’s happy to sit one off but he needs to roll the whole way and we saw that, a horse came to him, although far away from him to get up to almost level, but he fought on again. It’s an overdue win and I’m happy I could stick aboard to do it,” Hewitson said.