Lyle Hewitson celebrated his first feature success for his new sponsors Drakenstein Stud when he steered the smart Gimmethegreenlight filly Ecstatic Green to a facile victory in the R150 000 Prosport International Gr2 Debutante at Hollywoodbets Greyville on Saturday.
In a race that Hewitson described as ‘having panned out perfectly’, the former SA Champion Jockey partnered with the old big raceday firm of five times SA Champion Trainer Sean Tarry and owner Chris van Niekerk in an overdue first stakes success for the Schalkie van der Walt-bred Ecstatic Green.
A thrilled Lyle Hewitson salutes as Ecstatic Green powers home (Pic – Candiese Lenferna)
After two near misses in features at the end of her 2yo campaign, Ecstatic Green surged clear from her excellent position at the 300m marker and drew clear to win by 2,40 lengths in a time of 70,62 secs.
Recent maiden winner Keep The Lights on (45-1) stayed on well without threatening, while fellow Cape raider Fiftyshadesdarker (10-1) – another daughter of Gimmethegreenlight – made up lengths from a hopeless position for a 3,60 length third.
“She had plenty in her favour from the draw.And it all went well after a mediocre start. She kicked away and extended smartly. It was very impressive,” said Lyle Hewitson.
Winning trainer Sean Tarry,.who was presented with a gift by Gold Circle on the occasion of his fifth SA Champion title, confirmed that his charge ‘was unlucky last time’.
He also conveyed congratulations to breeder Schalkie van der Walt at Gelykfontein.
A daughter of Gimmethegreenlight (More Than Ready), the winner is out of twice winning Ashtontown mare Ecstatic.
A R500 000 National Yearling Sale graduate, Ecstatic Green has now won 2 races with 4 places from 6 starts for stakes of R219 750.
The Place Accumulator pool reached a healthy R1 429 872, with the minimum dividend of R1-50 reflecting a handful of disappointments, beyond the tote favourite winning.
