Lyle seeks breakthrough Hong Kong season

Lyle Hewitson heads into today’s eight-race card at Happy Valley primed for the mount aboard Valiant Elegance in the Class 3 Deep Water Bay Handicap over 1000m.

Happy Valley’s first meeting of the season marks the start of the DBS x Manulife Million Challenge, which runs until 8 February, 2023. The competition is for horses racing in Class 3 and above, with points awarded for first, second, third and fourth place finishes.

A first-up win for Valiant Elegance would bag 15 points in the HK$1 million contest.

“I’m looking forward to seeing him go over 1000m at Happy Valley now, especially after the run we saw three starts ago when he stepped up to Class 3. He was ridden with cover and the way he quickened up and hit the line well showed me that he definitely has the speed for the five (furlongs) – as long as he gets out nicely from the inside gate,” Hewitson said.

Valiant Elegance was one of Hong Kong’s most improved gallopers last season, winning four races and soaring to a rating of 68. He breaks from barrier No 1.

“At least we know that he’s not one dimensional anymore, so the distance coupled with a bit of cover – I think he’ll travel beautifully and there could be another trick up his sleeve as he comes back in trip from a good draw at Happy Valley,” Hewitson said.

The Salade gelding raced exclusively over 1200m last season, however, through his 2020/21 campaign he managed to collect one win – his first – over 1000m at the Valley.

The Douglas Whyte-trained galloper was one of 27 wins for the affable Hewitson last season who steeled himself for a remarkable return to competition following a fall in December.

But the South African rider isn’t content with the status quo and is out to build on his emergence in Hong Kong with a view to climbing further up the jockeys’ standings as well as securing feature race success aboard Russian Emperor.

“I haven’t kept it a secret that I’m really trying to have a breakthrough season and get into that top five area – that would be fantastic but I’ve got a long path to travel to get there and I’ll be working hard to have a lot of success here.”

“You can never be content with the way that you’re going. I’m always looking to improve, so obviously from that level I want to improve in every area, even if it is only one percent here and there,” Hewitson said.

Hewitson is armed with seven rides at the midweek fixture including Nothing New who contests the Class 3 Repulse Bay Handicap (1650m), also in search of valuable DBS x Manulife Million Challenge points.

“He’s a horse that does race a little bit ungenerously, he likes to try and get on with it a bit more but he is versatile and he’s able to be covered up a bit if the pace is right.

“Last time I just thought that there was a better chance if he went forward and it worked out nicely, although he still travelled quite strongly, he hit a nice rhythm down the back (straight) and went on to win a nice race – I think that it showed that he can do it from anywhere,” Hewitson said.

Hewitson managed to cross from barrier 12 last start to control the pace at Happy Valley, defying the fast-finishing Packing Award who subsequently won at his following start.

“I was more determined to just ride the horse and not the race and with the way that it unfolded I thought he was better off going forward and settling out there which he did nicely. He still kicked on in the straight,” Hewitson said.

The 24-year-old breaks from gate No 6 aboard Nothing New as he squares off with Romantic Combo, Zone D, Viva Hunter and Comet Splendido as well as seven others.

“He’s got a good bump up in weight after a strong victory last time which will be against him and he’s not the biggest horse but he is a strong athletic horse, so I think he’ll be able to shoulder it and carry it around but he does have a bigger task on hand this time around,” Hewitson said.

Hewitson isn’t alarmed by the potential of a hotly contested lead.

“I think he’ll still be handy, I think that’s how enjoys his racing but I’m quite encouraged by the fact there is a bit more pace in the race which gives us more than one option,” he said. – Hong Kong Jockey Club

Race-by-Race Previews

Race 1: See U Again looks overdue for a win and enters this race in good form after winning a recent trial most impressively under Purton, who remains in the saddle for race day. Vamos has been knocking on the door and win won’t surprise anyone. Sergeant Pepper should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. He looked good in his recent trial. Young Life Forever down in class in this race and should perform better this preparation. Charming Steed has shown ability and gets his chance to win here.

Race 2: Winning Icey more than capable of winning again in this race after his eye-catching success at his final start of last season. He comes into a lower draw here, can map closer and looks to have more wins in hand. Hero Star good effort last start leading all the way to win and he should be trying to replicate that here. Hercules is capable of running a fast final 400m sectional time and looks well placed to be competitive. Spartan Missile go on solid previous effort where form looked good. Hoodabutta fair trial, but have to respect with Hayes and Purton teaming up.

Race 3: Trader changed trainer (Hayes to Ng) and trialled very well recently. From barrier 2, he can map to suit and can bounce back to winning ways. Awesome Treasure has looked very good in recent trials and will be finishing fast off a fast early speed. Super Vince well prepared for debut and is worth considering as he finds a moderate Class 3 to kick off his local career. High Rise Soldier dropped in the ratings and appears well suited at this level, he can surprise at odds. Valiant Elegance should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way, but he is a roarer and must be taken on trust.

Race 4: Wins All unbeaten in this class and must be a big chance to keep his record in tact as he looked good in his trial and gets Purton in the saddle. Shanghai Power has early speed and can always surprise with the right run in this class of race. Day Day Rich should begin fast and will be trying to lead all the way. Goodmanship was an easy last start winner and must be respected but barrier 9 is the query. Raging Blaze generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. From barrier 1, he’ll map soft and be finishing strongly off a fast-run race.

Race 5: Hardly Swears change of trainer recently and can improve after trialling very well recently. He resumes on a career-low mark of 50, gets Purton on from barrier 1 and looks well placed to bounce back to winning ways. Triple Triple had genuine excuses last start and consider again (read “Track Spy” for more information). Harmony N Home has been placed last two starts and should be bounce back for a Class 4 win soon. Kokushi Musou more than capable of winning again in this race with some luck from barrier 9. Take What You Need looks a solid good chance based on last start.

Race 6: Probably the most open race on the night. Go For Tea change of trainer recently (Lor to Fownes) and should run well step- ping away from barrier 1. Big Two nice horse who is a model of consistency and looks a solid chance to continue his good form. Our Creed go on solid previous effort where form looked good. Barrier 12 is the query, but he does get Purton taking over the reins. Sparky Star generally gets back in the running but dashes strongly home. Fearless Fire had genuine excuses last start when caught wide but can improve from barrier 3.

Race 7: Comet Splendido narrowly beaten last start when second-up in Hong Kong and he has to be going close here for an in-form trainer, Danny Shum. Nothing New was an easy last start winner and looks a good chance to remain competitive again off the back of a quiet but good trial. Viva Hunter down in class in this race and should perform better but barrier 10 will be the query. Zone D racing well with excel- lent sectional time rankings. Romantic Combo last start winner who remains in the same grade and should map a chance from barrier 4.

Race 8: Nicconi County progressive four-year-old who is more than capable of winning again in this race after winning his final start of lasts season most impressively. That was his second local win and he clearly looks headed higher in the handicap. Sky Forever last run was better than it reads and do not dismiss. Beauty Glory remains a maiden galloper but clearly gets a chance to win here. Ping Hai Galaxy video replay showed last run was very good. Magic Phoenix has been getting close to a win and should be a good each-way chance.