Perfect excuse for a winter reprieve!

FOLLOWING last night’s Regional Championship State Final success at Club Menangle, trainer Brad Hewitt is considering rewarding himself and talented pacer Send It with a Queensland campaign.

With several majors scheduled in coming months, Hewitt believes the interstate riches on offer are the perfect excuse for a winter reprieve!

At the top of Hewitt’s hit list is the inaugural The Rising Sun for three and four-year-olds.

The $250,660 feature is programmed for July 10.

“I’ll give him a bit of an easy time now, then look at going to Queensland for the Winter Carnival,” Hewitt said.

“There are a few good races at that time, including The Rising Sun, which I don’t think he would be out of place in.

“He was only beaten a metre by the likes of Wolf Stride and Out To Play last month and they went were in the Miracle Mile a few weeks earlier!

“He’s certainly going well enough to warrant the trip, so we’ll have to wait and see if he makes into the big one.”

With Hewitt holding the reins during his latest triumph, Send It worked to the lead from barrier three as early pacemaker, Keayang Kreuzer, was eased to take a trail.

Forced to dig deep during the latter stages, the son of Western Terror staved off a late charge from Keayang Kreuzer to score by a metre.

Ilikemebettor was a metre away third.

Rating 1:55.7 over 2300 metres, Send It provided Hewitt with his initial Group One win as a trainer.

“I went out there thinking I had the best horse in the race and I’d drive him that way,” Hewitt said.

“Once he got to the front I didn’t think they would run him down, although it did get tight at the end.

“I’ve won a Group One as a driver, but hadn’t been able to get one as a trainer until now.

“I’ve had a few placings, but it’s good to get one on the board”