Brad Hewitt strikes early at Bathurst Gold Crown

Goulburn trainer Brad Hewitt continued on his winning way from the previous night when he took out the first two heats of the Bathurst Gold Crown for two year old colts and geldings last night at the Bathurst raceway.

In the opening heat, Hewitt drove Message Bank (Captain Treacherous) who was not expected to trouble the long odds on favourite Soho Park Avenue. In a fast run race Soho Park Avenue found his way to the front and Message Bank was forced to raced outside the leader with over a lap left to travel.

MESSAGE BANK MAR 21 REPLAY GOLD CROWN HEAT BATHURST

The two were locked together along the back straight but on straightening Message Bank despite the harder run drew clear and he scored by seven metres from Soho Park Avenue with Siargao Island a distant third.

For his debut performance Message Bank who is trained by David Hewitt recorded the fastest time of the seven heats with a mile rate of 1.53.7.

Hewitt stated “He’s the same as the filly (Sparkling Sea) the other night. He sort of showing a fair bit of promise at home and didn’t do things one hundred percent tonight.”

“I’ll get him steering a bit better for the Final. I think he can go better again.” “Definitely nothing wrong with his effort tonight.”

In the second heat Hewitt was piloting Rewatch (Captain Crunch) and the only other runner under single figure odds was Berocca Bernie.

Rewatch was a little bit wide early but quickly mustered speed and then eased to the front ahead of Berocca Bernie. From then onwards the race was never in doubt as Rewatch strolled away on the final bend to record an easy twelve metre win over Berocca Bernie with Set Play well back in third placing.

Rewatch returned a mile rate of 1.55.6 with slick 27 seconds flat for the final quarter.

Hewitt was pleased after the event.

“Obviously he’s got good manners and gate speed. He got a really easy half.”

“I thought try to leave a bit in the tank for next week and after Wagga this sort of raised him up for tonight. He knew what it was all about.”

“Tonight it was good to have a really easy quiet run. He finished it off really nice.”

By Tony Milanese for Harnesslink