04 May 2022 | HRNSW MEDIA | MICHAEL DUMESNY
IT was a case of ‘déjà vu’ on Saturday night at Tabcorp Park Menangle for Bathurst horseman Bernie Hewitt when he trained the winners of both the Group 1 APG Gold Bullion two-year-old fillies’ final with Jewel Melody and three-year-old colts and geldings’ feature with Ripp.
Just over a month ago, Hewitt prepared both pacers to win the Group 1 Gold Tiara and Gold Chalice Finals at Bathurst . . . and it was a carbon copy result last weekend.
Owned by popular Bathurst couple Wayne and Julie Loader, both Jewel Melody and Ripp made a mess of their opposition in their respective races, putting on notice that they may well be the best of their age group across the width of the nation.
Bernie has long been regarded as one of the best trainer-drivers in the sport, but it is his son Doug that is beginning to shine as a reinsman, combining with Ripp to capture his second Group 1 win in the gig on Saturday night.
“He is a very special horse to me, and I am excited about the ride he is taking me on,” said Doug of Ripp.
“Saturday’s race panned out perfectly for us.
“I always thought we would land on My Ultimate Byron’s back from the start, which was where I wanted to be.
“And when the leader began to ramp things up at the 500-metre mark, this enabled me to get off the pegs and I knew from there that my bloke was going to be hard to hold out.
“Knowing I had them covered a long way from home in both his feature wins has made it even more enjoyable.
“It would be nice to think they could all be that easy.
“Owners Wayne and Julie Loader have shown so much faith in me driving Ripp.
“They are so supportive of me and my family and are great for our sport.”
The TAB Regional Championships kick off at Bathurst tonight with three qualifying heats to be run.
Inaugural Championship winner Terryrama will be looking to qualify for another series final when he contests the third heat for trainer Malcolm Hutchings.
Terryrama, who is raced by Sara Hutchings, won the 2020 version as a rank outsider when driven by Sara’s brother-in-law Brett, who will again take the reins tonight, making it a real family affair.
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