Hewitt outsmarts rivals to win $150,000 final

Seldom do you see it happen in a feature harness racing race at Menangle.

Yet Goulburn trainer-driver Brad Hewitt outsmarted his rivals when he “stole” a leisurely second quarter in 30.9 seconds to make tonight’s $150,000 Breeders Challenge final for two-year-old colts and geldings his own . . . along with Captains Knock (Captaintreacherous), of course.

That slow sectional enabled Hewitt to get away with a first half of the mile in 58.6s as Captains Knock scored a powerful win, prevailing by two and a half metre win over the unlucky Bettor Be The Best (Nathan Turnbull) with outsider Montalbano (Rickie Alchin) two metres further away in third place. The winner rated 1:52.9 with a last half of 54.3s.

There’s a real Canberra connection’ with Captains Knock with their syndicate managed by Raiders league hero Jarrod Croker, along with several other Raiders stars.

CAPTAINS KNOCK REPLAY

A relieved Hewitt explained that Captains Knock had not been on his game the previous week but managed to still win his Breeders Challenge semi-final.

“You buy or breed these from yearlings and when you have a nice one nice you start to think it might be one out of the box,” he said.

“To get the job done tonight was just a great result for all concerned.

“Yes, it was a terrible week leading into the semi, but we got him through although you always worry about it.

“I could not have been happier with him this week and he turned it around tonight.”

Hewitt explained his slow quarter:

“I was looking round waiting for Nathan [Turnbull] to come – and they didn’t,” he said.

“But that’s racing – and have to take it when you can.”

Hewitt said Captains Knock was eligible for the Breeders Crown in Victoria next weekend.

“We might go down there and have a look and after that we’ll probably head for the paddock,” he said.

For complete race results, click here.

From Club Menangle