Lyle Hewitson has a strong line-up of riders at Sha Tin on Sunday which includes the rides of Supreme Sea in the Grade Three Cornwall Handicap (1,200m) and Packing Angel in the Grade Two Devon Handicap (1,800m).
The lightly raced Supreme Sea has impressed in his two starts for trainer Mark Newnham, recording victory and second by just half a length to Vulcanus on the weather-beaten track at Sha Tin.
“I think he is a very good horse. I am very happy to ride in him, he has a good future,” said Hewitson.
The short break between runs should see a great display from the son of Sebring Sun, who has made an impressive effort to win by six lengths ten days out.
“We just thought that he was a young horse, he had one or two little things we wanted to solve, and we gave him a little time to rest. He is back, I believe, in a better order. He is more committed to his work and his tests were high. His well-being and ability are out of the question – he is doing very well,” Hewitson said.
A four-out-of-four block draw and strong finishing ability ease the burden imposed by the expanded 60-85 rating band on the 62-rated runner, which will put him out at 115 pounds against Class III dirt horses.
“I’m worried about the fact that he will have a tough job and weight in just his third start against some strong dirty horses,” said Hewitson.
“He’s also shown twice in his trials that he can finish strong as well, so that’s a good thing to put your hand up when a few of them have the same look, and from a good barrier, we’ll be able to make that decision on race day after the first 100m.”
Two other Newnham runners will go outside with Hewitson inside – King Lotus, who makes just his third Sha Tin start when he tackles the Grade Three Cumberland Handicap (1,400m), and Exceed The Wish in the Grade Five Somerset Handicap (1,400m).
Hewitson also partners Packing Angel, trained by Francis Lui Kin-wai, for the third time this season on Sunday. The son of Shocking has made two starts this year following an injury-enforced layoff after running third in last year’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m), just beaten a neck by Cap Ferrat.
The five-year-old bounced back with a 10th over 1,200m before an improved fourth behind the challenging Stunning Peach over 1,600m at the start of the last.
“After his first run, it was 1,200 meters – we know that’s too short for him – for me, I thought it was a passing mark,” said Hewitson.
“He didn’t have the turn against the Class Two runners that you would expect, especially at first, but I saw a big difference in his running after that race. He was calmer, less enthusiastic and more focused. And then he went out and ran a really nice race sometimes from a mile.”
The top step in the 1,800m trip on Sunday will be ideal at this stage of his preparation.
“Now two times into his preparation I’m sure he’d come again, and he’s going over what would probably be his full distance, so I expect him to start getting the form he had as a four-year-old,” Hewitson said.
Hewitson will jump on two poles for South African Brett Crawford. Conspirator will come off the first hurdle at a lightweight 117lb in the Grade Four Suffolk Handicap (1,000m), while Danica’s Choice steps down in the Grade Four Norfolk Handicap (1,600m).
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