21 April 2021 | HRNSW MEDIA | MICHAEL DUMESNY
WHEN Gemma Hewitt kicked off her driving career midway through last year, she proved that she had inherited the talent that many of her family members possess.
At one stage Gemma’s strike rate, winners to starters, was extremely high and she has now established herself as one of the Western District’s best young drivers.
Gemma had long before proven her ability as an accomplished trainer so it was only a matter of time before she would be doing the same in the gig.
Hewitt currently has a small but select team of pacers and during the 2019/20 season she trained 37 winners and 47 placegetters from just 164 starters, finishing sixth on the NSW Female Trainers Premiership.
“I am loving working with the horses and Dad and Mum have been so supportive of me,” said Gemma.
“Dad [Bernie] has a big team in work but always has time to guide me in the right direction.
“We all get in and help each other and that works well.”
Kashed Up is the star of Gemma’s stable and the three-year-old has been impressive in winning four of his 17 race starts.
As a two-year-old, Kashed Up won a heat of the Gold Crown and then came back later in the year to win the NSW Breeders Challenge Western Region Final at Wagga, rating a fast 1.52.2.
But it was his fourth placing in this year’s NSW Derby that stamped him as the real deal.
“I have brought him back into work this week after giving him a three-week freshen up after he was just beaten in the Gold Chalice,” said Hewitt.
“My plan is to get him ready for a Queensland campaign in June and July where I will aim him for a crack at three Derbies up there.”
Gemma has four drives at Bathurst tonight and rates Crazy Shippo (Race 5) as her best winning chance.
“He is well graded in that race and drawing barrier one suits him down to the ground.
“He loves to race on the pegs and should get a nice trip from there.
“The two-year-olds I am driving are both knocking on the door.
“Promising (Race 9) is up against a fairly handy field but has dawn well, while Shoulda Passed (Race 10) is very honest and he should be running home strongly.”
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