Reigning SA Champion Jockey Lyle Hewitson will open his Japan campaign on Sunday.
The South China Morning Post reports that Hewitson has flown out to Japan to join the powerful Northern Farm operation, who will have first call on his services on a two-month contract.
He was going through all the paperwork like undergoing a medicals, setting up bank accounts and other issues earlier this week before two days of trackwork at the Miho training centre.
Hewitson then goes into lockdown on Friday night before the weekend’s cards, where he has secured a Gr2 mount on Sunday.
“I can’t wait to sit on some good stock and get some confidence back in my riding,” he said. “I think it’s going to be a good move to experience something new and succeed a bit more.”
Hewitson hopes to return to Hong Kong for another stint down the road and is particularly thankful to those who kept backing him in.
A two-time champion here, the 22-year old was never able to build any real momentum after a two-week suspension derailed him early in the season.
Hewitson wasn’t afforded many opportunities after that and has been forced to battle on a host of long -shots, finishing his contract with three wins, nine seconds and 11 thirds from 251 rides and a tick over HK$7.3 million in prize money.
