On the cusp of riding his 100th Hong Kong winner, Lyle Hewitson hopes Chancheng Glory can advance growing Four-Year-Old Classic Series claims at Sha Tin on Saturday.
Rated 79, Chancheng Glory has been a revelation for Francis Lui since blinkers and a crossed nose band were added to the American-bred galloper’s gear, resulting in four consecutive 1600m wins – two for Hewitson and twice for Harry Bentley – to emerge as a likely contender for the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Mile (1600m) on February 4.
Drawn in barrier seven, Chancheng Glory will carry 131lb against solely four-year-old opposition in what shapes as a sighter for the HK$52 million Four-Year-Old Series, which also features the HK$13 million Hong Kong Classic Cup (1800m) on March 3 and the HK$26 million Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on March 24.
“He (Chancheng Glory) has been an absolute soldier throughout his career pretty much, but this season he’s taken it to new heights and hopefully he can do that again – which he will need to because he’s going to be giving away weight to his rivals and that makes it a lot tougher, but he’s in such good form but he keeps improving and I’m looking forward to it,” Hewitson said.
“I’ve always been of the opinion that he’ll get better with the extra ground, however that has to be seen to be believed so at this stage he’s been enjoying it (the mile) and hopefully he continues his fruitful ways.”
With 19 wins this season, Hewitson sits seventh in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship behind Zac Purton (50), Karis Teetan (35), Hugh Bowman (26), Angus Chung (21), Vincent Ho (21) and Andrea Atzeni.
The South African has a full book of 10 rides tomorrow and hopes to reach the 100-victory landmark before Chancheng Glory contests the penultimate race on Saturday.
“That (reaching the 100-win milestone) would be fantastic but I wouldn’t mind getting on the board earlier in the day, too. It’s a tough card but we’ll be working through it,” he said.
With Purton returning from approved leave of absence to take nine rides, including Four-Year-Old Classic Series aspirants Beauty Crescent and Simple Hedge, Karis Teetan hopes Pierre Ng-trained Galaxy Patch can successfully bridge a rise in grade.
“He (Galaxy Patch) has got a good record this season, he’s done well so far. Everything that’s been asked of him, he’s produced so I’m looking forward to riding him again,” Teetan said.
“He’s kept getting stronger with his wins. Last time, with the heavy weight (135lb), he got a nice run through but just the way he quickened up and put them to sleep was really good. It is a big step (going to Class 2), but when they show improvement like that in Class 3 then, of course, they can hold their form in Class 2. If he gets a good run, he should be competitive.”
The winner of his only Australian start at Morphettville when known as Gulinga Spirit and trained by Will Clarken and Niki O’Shea in January 2023, Galaxy Patch has posted three wins from four starts in Hong Kong.
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