Chancheng Glory, a promising contender for the upcoming Hong Kong Classic Mile, continued his impressive winning streak at Sha Tin on Boxing Day, securing a notable victory under jockey Lyle Hewitson. This win marked the gelding’s fourth consecutive triumph, further solidifying his position as a strong candidate for the first leg of the Classic Series. Hewitson, who enjoyed a remarkable day with a total of three wins, navigated Chancheng Glory with tactical acumen, adapting to the race’s fast pace and securing a decisive lead in the final stretch.
The three-year-old gelding, trained by Francis Lui Kin-wai, displayed resilience and adaptability, deviating from his usual front-running strategy. Instead, Hewitson positioned Chancheng Glory in the midfield, responding to the race’s swift early tempo set by his competitors. In the home straight, Chancheng Glory surged ahead, finishing ahead of Flamingo Trillion and Simple Hedge, showcasing his capability to adapt and excel under varying race conditions.
Hewitson’s successful day at Sha Tin began with a win aboard Fun Elite, a debutant trained by Benno Yung Tin-pang, in the Class Four Po Shek Wu Handicap. The heavily supported Fun Elite displayed remarkable professionalism and potential, promising a bright future ahead. Yung expressed his confidence in the colt, noting his impressive preparation and the strong support he received in the betting markets.
The South African jockey’s second victory came with Northern Beaches in the Class Three Hoi Lai Handicap. Northern Beaches, a gelding who had previously experienced misfortune in his races, found redemption with Hewitson’s guidance, justifying his favoritism in the 1,000m sprint.
Chancheng Glory’s trainer, Lui, expressed satisfaction with the gelding’s performance and Hewitson’s strategic decisions during the race. Lui remains optimistic about Chancheng Glory’s prospects in the Classic Mile and future races, considering the possibility of one more run before the big event. He believes the gelding has the potential to handle longer distances, but for now, the focus remains on mile races.
Hewitson’s treble at Sha Tin underscores his skill and versatility as a jockey, capable of adapting to various race dynamics and bringing out the best in his mounts. With Chancheng Glory’s continuous success and potential participation in the Hong Kong Classic Mile, the spotlight remains on this promising gelding and his connection with Hewitson as they prepare for future challenges in the racing season.
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