Fresh and champing at the bit after a highly successful Japan campaign, SA Champion jockey Lyle Hewitson was quickly into his stride, riding his first winner at his first meeting on South African soil this term.
The Hong Kong experience now well behind him, Hewitson stood some distance from interviewer Lyle Cooper as he sanitised his hands and adjusted his mask.
Hewitson said he had been riding work and that ‘there was no place like home’.
“Well done to everybody behind the scenes to get racing going. It takes plenty of hard work and we appreciate the opportunity,” he said, adding that blinkers had done the trick on the smart Ridgemont-Highlands bred Judpot filly Trapiche.
Trapiche stayed on well to clinch victory in the Bettingworld.co.za FM 76 Handicap (F & M) over 1450m. to give trainer Sean Tarry a double on the day and Hewitson a first winner at his 9th local ride.
He is bound to improve quickly on his 114th spot on the national log!
