Underrated country trainer steps up

Grenfell based horseman, Mark Hewitt captured yet another feature win at Tabcorp Menangle on Saturday night when he took out the Group 3 My Properties Consultants Golden Easter Egg with Not To Be Denied.

The underrated country trainer has proven his ability over the years for preparing fillies to win big races going back to 2008 when he captured his first Group 1 win in a Sires Stakes final for fillies with Burning Stature.

Following that success, Mark has raced several talented youngsters that have won good races but by his own admittance none were quite up to the class of Burning Stature until now.

On Saturday night, Not To Be Denied provided Hewitt with a welcomed return to the winner’s circle at Tabcorp Park Menangle when the daughter of Always B Miki lived up to her name to score a narrow but gutsy win.

Owned by Jackie Gibson, proprietor of the renowned Success Stud near Young, Not To Be Denied enjoyed a great run, one out and one back until Hewitt made his move with 600 metres to travel.

The filly set up a winning break before fighting off a late challenge from Miss Chantilly to score by a bare margin.

“She showed plenty of bottom in the run to the line,” said Hewitt.

“When we had had the nice run in the trail, I was quite confident that she would be hard to hold out. But after the leaders compounded, I had to go sooner than I wanted, leaving us in front a fair way from home which was not ideal.”

“She has a tremendous turn of foot and naturally wanted to dash away from her rivals. I done my best to hold her back and she dug deep over the closing stages to win.”

“I have had this filly in my care from a youngster. Jackie and her parents have been good owners to me, so it was great to be able to win a feature race together.”

Hewitt said that the filly will now have a quick freshen up before being set for the Queensland Oaks.

Watch her win below:

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW