THE Hewitt family are recognized as racing royalty and have left a legacy behind their late patriarch Tom Hewitt, a humble cattle farmer from Crookwell who took up the sport and tasted success.
His sons Mark, David and Bernie have followed in their father’s footsteps at the highest level, winning numerous feature races.
But it’s the next generation of the highly regarded dynasty that is now making headlines, with David’s sons Brad and twins Scott and Sam regulars in the Menangle winners’ circle.
In addition, Bernie’s son Jason, who has not raced as regularly as his cousins, had one of his best nights at the Menangle outing by qualifying three pacers for Saturday’s NSW Breeders Challenge final, including Our Goat, who won a semi-final of the four-year-old division.
Sam Hewitt will be hoping to record his biggest win yet in the two-year-old fillies final after his youngster Ark Sea qualified in the fastest time in her semi-final a fortnight ago, running a blistering 1:50.7 and scoring by an ever-increasing margin of 12.5 metres.
And with in-form Sydney racer Will Rixon in the lineup, Sam’s filly is likely to share favoritism with other semi-final winner Sparkling Sea, who is trained by David and will be ridden by brother Brad.
Sparkling Sea fared much better on the barrier draw and will start from gate three, while Ark Sea is on an edge, drawn wide to start from gate nine.
Queensland youth race runner-up The Protostar was beaten by just over two meters by the Emma Stewart-trained Loucasso. Ark Sea was able to win her in the remaining four races.
“I couldn’t have my filly in better shape,” said Sam.
“It is clear that daddy’s filly will be difficult to beat, because she also has a lot of ability and has perfect markings.
“But my filly could not have performed more in the final and we go to Sydney with confidence, despite our difficult draw.
“Shall [Rixon] handles our girl very well, he is a top runner and will undoubtedly give her the best possible run from the deep gate.
Together, the extended Hewitt family was able to make the Saturday evening gathering their own with no fewer than 20 live chances to win.
For full race entries, click here.
Through Michael Dumesnyfor HRNSW
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