Lewis chasing special moment on Tradelink Race Day
Yvette Lewis will ride at Inverell on Saturday. Image: Bradley Photos.
Yvette Lewis will return home on Saturday with a full book of rides at Inverell, hoping to make her mark on Tradelink Race Day.
With family on hand, the Tingha-born jockey always has extra incentive to perform on her home track.
“I always love riding there as that’s home for me, and Mum, Dad and the family come out — I always love coming back,” Lewis said.
“Plus, it’s also a good track. Every horse gets their chance, whether leading or coming from behind, and they have a beautiful, long straight.”
The first race could set the tone for Lewis’ day, as she rides the Sue Grills-trained Stryke An Icon, owned by her mother, Virginia Heron.
“The maiden in the first race is coming there with good form and steps back from a full TAB race — and that’s actually my mum’s horse,” Lewis said.
“It would be really nice to win on that one. My godmother (Roz Roberts) owned a share in her, and she has sadly passed away from illness, so to win on her would be very special.”
The four-year-old Prized Icon mare, out of Sleeting Stryke, began her career with Theresa Bateup at Kembla Grange before transferring to Tamworth, where she is now trained by Grills.
She has raced twice over 1200m in this preparation, finishing sixth at Coonabarabran on June 20 before running fifth in the $50,000 Super Maiden at Tamworth on July 3, and will be fit and firing for Saturday’s 1200m Maiden Plate.
“She bought her from Theresa Bateup — she was untrialled, and she’s finally in work now. Her two runs have been good,” Lewis said.
Lewis could be on her best chance of the day when teaming up with trainer Rod Hilton for the third of their three combined rides, aboard Thief By Night in the 1400m Benchmark 50 Handicap.
The six-year-old Star Witness gelding is a seven-time winner who has raced consistently at Warwick, Kilcoy and Esk this preparation without saluting, and drops back in grade for Saturday’s event.
“He’s another one in good form — his last few runs, he’s been no further back than fourth,” Lewis said.
“He’s definitely in with a chance, and he’s won there before, so it’s good to know he can handle the trip to Inverell and win there.”
Lewis also has an eye on a local chance, hopping aboard the Ridge Wilson-trained Captain Insano in the 1600m Benchmark 50 Handicap.
A last-start winner at the Wean picnic races, taking out the 1600m conditional event, Lewis believes the local hope can rise to the challenge of TAB racing on his home track.
“He won at the picnics, but if he can bring his professional form from when he was racing around the Gold Coast, he’ll be very competitive in a race like that,” Lewis said.
It shapes as a big day for Lewis and the Inverell Jockey Club, with gates opening at 11:30am and entry free. Facilities on the day will include the bar and canteen, undercover seating, TAB and bookmakers.
Jeff Hanson’s Tips
Race 1 – Decoy
Race 2 – 1. Dormelletto
Race 3 – 4. Blazed Prince
Race 4 – 1. Evocator
Race 5 – 3. Thief By Night
Race 6 – 2. Snitzond
Greg Kachel’s Tips
Race 1 – 7. Decoy
Race 2 – 11. One For Hesko
Race 3 – 10. Dolly Disco
Race 4 – 10. Risk Assessment
Race 5 – 2. Ezeiza
Race 6 – 10. Shifa
Racing and Sport’s Tips
Race 1 – 7. Decoy
Race 2 – 3. Mac Aedo
Race 3 – 8. Annanda
Race 4 – 6. It’s a Written
Race 5 – 3. Thief By Night
Race 6 – 2. Snitzond