Lyle to stay a few Steps Ahead

Lyle Hewitson got off the mark last Sunday at Sha Tin with Metro Power and the South African will team up with Steps Ahead in Race 8 at Happy Valley today.

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Steps Ahead is trained by trainer Francis Lui and will jump from gate No 9.

“I rode him in the Four-Year-Old Classic Series and even then, I was of the opinion that he’s probably looking for blinkers and maybe even the 1650m at Happy Valley.

“Unfortunately, I wasn’t on him when he did go to Happy Valley, but he did acquit himself very well with the distance and headgear. There’s no reason why he can't continue that vein of form because he’s a very consistent horse.

“His trackwork the other day, I thought he felt that he was pretty fit for a first-up horse and that he’d certainly come on from his barrier trial. He’s going into the race in good condition for a first-up run,” Hewitson said.

Five-year-old Steps Ahead goes into the race after a trio of top three finishes - each by under a length.

Jockey Vincent Ho is loving being back in competition and the resolute 35-year-old hopes last-start winner Jumbo Legend can kick off this season just as he ended the last in the HK$3.12 million Class 2 Shek O Handicap over 1650m for trainer Caspar Fownes.