Bernie and Cathy Hewitt after Royal Story's Breeders Challenge Final win. - courtesy National Trotguide
There’s no more respected horseman in Australian harness racing than Bernie Hewitt, who recently completed his most successful season as a trainer/driver with 118 wins in NSW.
Bernie was away to a good start in the new season, but a heavy fall at Eugowra in the Central West on October 7th, has slowed his progress at least for a few weeks.
The accident happened seconds before the start of the Canola Cup final. Bernie was driving Alta Equus drawn on the outside of the second row, when the horse drawn on his inside suddenly veered out . Alta Equus crashed into the outside fence, dislodging Bernie who sustained multiple injuries as he made contact with the rail and several downposts.
Bernie is extremely sore and is carrying many bruises and cuts, but thankfully all x/rays came back clear.
Based at George’s Plains 12kms south of Bathurst, Bernie Hewitt has been a key player on country tracks for many years, and invariably makes his presence felt whenever he comes to town.
He’s an expert breaker and educator of young horses, he’s a great conditioner of the racing standardbred and holds his own in the very top company when it comes to race driving.
If there is a positive to come out of his current inactivity, its the fact that we’ve able to pin him down for a podcast. From George’s Plains its a big welcome to Bernie Hewitt.
Bernie with Pretty Hot after a Menangle win last year - courtesy National Trotguide