Bathurst harness racing horseman Bernie Hewitt is no stranger to Queensland.
The popular horseman is a regular in the sunshine state and has been for many years; he also takes advantage of the grading system and places his horses with local trainers to maximize their earning potential.
Hewitt was hopeful of campaigning during the Brisbane winter carnival this year with his outstanding filly Read About Lexy but injury has ended her season.
The Sportswriter – Lexys Laughing filly claimed the Gr.3 Bathurst Gold Bracelet in March before venturing to Melbourne the following month for the Gr.1 Victoria Oaks series.
Read About Lexy dominated her rivals with a crushing heat victory before succumbing to injury in the days leading up to the rich final.
The filly known as ‘Happy’ had badly injured her nearside front suspensory.
“It was bad, real bad; she’s just arrived home this week but the news is a lot brighter than what it was a week ago. Her suspensory ligament has pulled a section of bone off the sesamoid bone but it is not displaced meaning the fracture has a good chance of healing. There is also some damage to the suspensory ligament but should heal with time.” Hewitt said.
With her season officially over, Read About Lexy has headed to Peppertree Farm for more rest, rehab and stable confinement for the next month.
Owner Lex Crosby is now exploring his options with embryo transfer while waiting for her recovery.
It remains unclear whether she will make a racetrack return.
So, with Read About Lexy out of all remaining features this season, Hewitt is still hopeful of being represented in Brisbane in the coming months.
Talented pacer Allnight Raid is set to target Gr.1 $100,000 QBRED Triad 3yo Colts & Geldings Final at Albion Park on May 30.
The gelded son of Gold Dust Beach has built up an impressive record of four wins from ten starts.
“He’s a pretty handy type, he’s no superstar but he tries very hard and the Triad looks a great race for him to target. I’m yet to decide whether I bring him up myself or send him north to a local trainer, I’m just so busy at the moment.
“He hasn’t started since the Bathurst carnival in March where he had no luck but we’re deliberately aiming at the Triad.”
Tough pacer A Passion For Aces (18 wins – $126k) is bound for Brisbane this week and will join the stables of Grant Dixon.
by Chris Barsby