TALK about a nice consolation.
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While Bernie Hewitt was unable able to snag one of the major Group 1 trophies on offer at this year's Gold Crown Carnival, on Saturday night the Georges Plains trainer did notch up a career milestone.
When his son Jason drove Iamajoyride to victory in the Gold Tiara Consolation (1,730 metres) at the Bathurst Paceway, it marked the 1,500th win of his training career.
With no spectators at the track due to the coronavirus restrictions the milestone came with little fanfare, but certainly what Bernie and Cath Hewitt have achieved since moving their family from Crookwell to Bathurst 19 years ago has been impressive.
There have been highlights such as a meeting at the Bathurst Showground track in 2005 when Hewitt enjoyed five winners and two second placings.
There was the first Group 1 win of his career in June 2017 when Royal Story saluted in the three-year-old fillies final of the NSW Breeders Challenge series.
And of course there have been highlights at the annual Gold Crown Carnival. Hewitt won the carnival's three-year-old fillies feature - the Gold Bracelet - in 2015 with Read About Lexy and three years later he hoisted the Gold Crown trophy when College Chapel produced as the $1.90 favourite.
This year Hewitt had no luck in the Group 1 deciders staged on finals night of the 34th Gold Crown Carnival.
Dukkah ($81) ran eighth in the Gold Chalice Final after going from a tricky barrier 10 draw while Hewitt steered Kashed Up ($51), trained by his daughter Gemma, to sixth in the Gold Crown Final.
When it came to the Gold Tiara Consolation Hewitt had three hopes - he steered Infinity Beach ($31) while sons Doug (Beta Jewel, $23) and Jason (Iamajoyride, $14) took the reins of the others.
It was Jason who got the job done as the Lincoln Royal x Onajoyride filly led from start to finish.
"Driving for Mum and Dad there on their horse, yeah it was a big thrill," Jason Hewitt said.
"She's probably not a bad filly, compared to the other horses we thought she was a pretty decent chance and just things worked out well.
"We rolled to the front and she was just too strong.
"She hadn't had the chance to find the top in any of her other races, so it was good to get her out in a bit of daylight and see how she went."
Iamajoyride lined up for her third career start on Saturday night, having placed fourth in her two previous starts. One came with Doug in the gig, the other Bernie.
But Jason may now have bragging rights. He used her gate speed early to cross and lead, was able to back things off through a 31.4 seconds third quarter, then guided her home to a 2.4m victory. She won in a 1:58.6 mile rate.