Brad Hewitt.
BRAD Hewitt was always destined to succeed in harness racing.
Both his grandfathers were champions of the sport, gifted with a talent that has been passed down through the generations.
And Brad is well on the way to matching the achievements of his forebears, already being a Group 1 winning trainer and driver.
One attribute that Hewitt possesses is his ability to seek out horses with above-average ability and then take them through the grades and fulfil their potential.
Training alongside his father David at Goulburn, Brad chooses to limit the number of horses he has in work to a manageable level to ensure that he can give them the one-on-one attention needed to get the best out of them.
And his philosophy is certainly paying off, as year in and year out, the astute horseman continues to produce his fair share of metropolitan-class performers.
Most of those have been pacers but currently the shining light in his stable is square-gaiting mare Majestic Trio.
Purchased earlier this year by some of Hewitt’s most loyal owners, the former Kiwi chalked up her fifth Australian win on Tuesday at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
“She is a lovely mare that has a genuine will-to-win,” said Hewitt.
“I picked her up quite cheaply after her maiden win at Cambridge in December, but she did have a few issues when she first came to me.
“But I am now getting on top of them, and she is racing a lot truer.
“I have not had a lot of experience with the square trotting gait in the past, but I am enjoying the challenges this mare has given me and do believe that in time, she can race through to the top level.”
On Saturday night, Brad will drive Rockin Marty for his father in the time-honoured J. D. Watts Memorial.
An impressive winner four starts back at Wagga, Rockin Marty is likely to be sent out at double figure odds, but Hewitt believes the gelding can spring an upset.
“His past few runs have been better than his form suggests,” said Hewitt.
“The races have not been run to suit him but there should be a good tempo in Saturday’s race, so I rate him a solid each-way chance.”
Tamworth, Penrith and Young will host meetings this afternoon and this evening.
