Hewitt adds to milestone with Group 1 win

18 April 2022

GOULBURN trainer Brad Hewitt’s 300th win as a trainer will be one that will live in his memory for a long time.

On Saturday night, the astute horseman added to that milestone in the Group 1 Ladex Riverina Championships final at Wagga’s Riverina Paceway when smart mare Yarraman Bella overcame a tough run to score a well-deserved win, Hewitt's 301st winner.

Owners James Sutton and Paul Smith sent Yarraman Bella to Hewitt to compete in metropolitan-class at Menangle, where she won first up for her new trainer.

And their timing was impeccable with the Riverina Championships looming.

The daughter of Village Jolt was beaten by Winona Writer in her qualifying heat but turned the tables on Saturday night compliments of a heady drive from Hewitt.

Hewitt allowed Yarraman Bella plenty of time to settle before making a lightening mid-race move to take up the position outside of Winona Writer, who was setting a moderate pace in the lead.

But 600 metres from home, Brad applied the acid test, turning the last quarter into a survival of the fittest contest with his mare showing her class over the latter stages to score running away by four metres.

“She went super tonight,” said Hewitt.

“To win like that at only her fourth race start for me was just a massive thrill.

“But I cannot take all the credit for this win: James and his father Lloyd sent this mare to me in great order.

“All I had to do is keep her fit and happy and this is the result.

“Given time, I feel that she will make a top-class mare.

“She has it all, good race manners, push button speed from the gate and most importantly, plenty of bottom.”

This afternoon, Hewitt will make the trip out to Coolamon for the TAB Carnival of Cups meeting, where he has Rockin With Elvis engaged in the Redfox Electrical Contractors Coolamon Cup.

The gelding has drawn gate four and Hewitt believes he will be hard to beat over the 2210 metre journey.

“He is first-up from a spell this afternoon but definitely has class on his side,” said Hewitt.

“With the right trip he will be right in the finish.

“It is great to see these smaller clubs attracting good fields like this on their big days and I am looking forward to getting out to Coolamon.”