Apprentice Lyle Hewitson will more than likely break the record for the shortest time taken for an apprentice to lose his 4kg claim. He landed a double at Greyville yesterday to take his tally to 13 in less than 80 rides at an amazing strike rate for an apprentice of 14%.
To be fair to his Jockey Academy colleagues, Hewiston was well grounded on the work rider’s circuit before joining the academy, winning the championship last year and can hardly be classed as a green apprentice.
Call Me Winter (Nkosi Hlophe)
He will however also be learning the tough ways of the weighingroom and will no doubt have taken some flak from senior rider Brandon Lerena after landing the fifth on the Kom Naidoo-trained Tuscan. Although what all the fuss was about is hard to fathom.
Hewitson tracked the pace one off the rail and made good use of his claim quickly sending his mount for a clear run up the outside fence. It got close at the wire as the grey Stolen Destiny pressed him all the way but Tuscan held on narrowly.
The objection hooter announcing second against first had patrons puzzled especially as the alleged interference occurred at the 1200m mark. A review showed things getting a little tight but hardly grounds for an objection.
Tuscan (Nkosi Hlophe)
Hewitson had earlier kept the Sean Tarry wrecking ball rolling in the fourth with another polished display aboard In Other Words as the filly notched her sixth win from only nine starts and her first on the turf.
“She’s not the best mover,” said assistant Deshone Steyn. “That’s why we have kept her to the poly. But she will win races on the grass. She’s above average.”
In Other Words was a hiccup in Dean Kannemeyer’s run of form with Impala Lily sent out favourite and only narrowly beaten.
An hour later the R3 million yearling purchase Tripandie had the stable back on track as he run up his third win on the bounce with a telling stretch run.
Tripandie (Nkosi Hlophe)
“I thought he finished his race off very well. Today was a good win. He’s gone up 4kg in the weights,’ reasoned Kannemeyer.
“He came with a price tag but he hasn’t been an easy horse to train. I will allow him to earn his stripes and he’s going the right way. We will see how he pulls up and take it from there.”
It was a day of doubles as Roy’s Fly followed up for Naidoo and prolific owner Roy Moodley in the seventh.
By Andrew Harrison
