Sean Tarry and Lyle Hewitson owned the Saturday afternoon at Turffontein as the duo produced four good winners, including a smashing seasonal debut by Gr1 Allan Robertson winner Under Your Spell.
South Africa’s highest rated 3yo filly, and considered by some to have been a preferable choice as Equus Champion 2yo Filly over her stablemate Rain In Holland, Under Your Spell adjusted professionally to her first run beyond the sprints and her maiden try around the turn.
Under Your Spell (Lyle Hewitson) wins with her ears pricked (Pic – JC Photos)
The 3yo burst away from her field in the 1400m Pinnacle Stakes to beat the seasoned hardknocker Rouge Allure by 3,50 lengths in a time of 86,98 secs.
The daughter of Capetown Noir, who was running fresh off a three month break since an emphatic victory in the Gr1 Allan Robertson at Hollywoodbets Scottsville, has now won 5 of her 6 starts. She was only ever beaten in the SA Fillies Nursery. The Summerhill Stud-bred galloper has earned a shade under R500 000
While she boasts a top-class cruising speed, she has the blood to go 2000m plus and on Saturday’s showing is a very exciting prospect for the coming season.
Under Your Spell was one of a quartet of winners for Tarry and Hewitson that commenced with maiden scorers Successful Ruler and Equillo in the second and third races, and was capped by a gutsy victory for Marigold Hotel in the final event.
SA Champion Lyle Hewitson told the Sporting Post that he was still on track to fulfil a three month contract in Japan.
“The closure of the borders as a result of the covid pandemic has created challenges and thrown a spanner in the works in terms of our original plans . But I’m still going and I should know more by latest the end of September. My three months would commence from the day I start riding there. In the meantime, I’m enjoying my riding here and staying fit.”
Hewitson has ridden 27 winners this term at a win strike-rate of nearly 34%.
