Lyle celebrates his seniority with two winners

Reigning champion jockey Lyle Hewitson celebrated completing his apprenticeship by winning on his first two days as a fully qualified rider.

This was excellent news for the young man’s new riding agent – long-time Tellytrack presenter Deez Dayanand.

First up, on Friday, Hewitson scored on Malinda in Race 2 at Fairview. The filly came home by a comfortable 1.50 lengths for his regular Port Elizabeth employer Yvette Bremner – going off top of the bookmakers’ boards at 22-10.

Then Hewitson kicked off Saturday’s Turffontein meeting by carrying the famous brown and white Beck family silks to victory aboard Sean Tarry-trained Cavivar. This first-timer started at odds of 4-1 and comfortably defeated 5-4 favourite Masaaqaat from the Mike de Kock yard by 2.25 lengths.

Apprentices cannot be represented by agents in terms of National Horseracing Authority rules, but Dayanand was registered as Hewitson’s right-hand man on the same day that the latter officially became a jockey.

Dayanand – who has also represented former champion Anthony Delpech – was enthusiastic about the new partnership.

“It’s something we agreed on a while back. I’ve been waiting for this and I am thrilled the day has finally come,” said the popular pundit.

Hewitson made modern racing history in July last year when he became the first apprentice jockey to win the national championship since the legendary Michael Roberts nearly 50 years earlier.