WITH three previous generations of her family involved in the sport of harness racing, it was no great surprise when Gemma Hewitt followed in their footsteps.
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What began with her great grandfather Harold Hewitt, continued with grandfather Tom and her father Bernie.
Her uncles and cousins are involved, her brothers Jason and Doug drive and her mother Cath is involved as well.
Gemma Hewitt's connection runs deep as an owner, breeder, trainer and driver.
"None of the other girls in the family have been quite as involved, so it's nice for one of the girls to step up and follow in the boys' footsteps too," she said.
Last week Hewitt reached her 150 wins as a trainer milestone when a three-year-old filly she also drove, Princess Danica, won at the Bathurst Paceway as a $4.60 chance.
But when it comes to what has been the pick of her winners thus far, it came with a gelding called Kash Us Back on her home track on September 2.
"My highlight is probably my first win as a driver in September, that was pretty special and Kash Us Back is obviously a pretty special horse. To breed, train and drive him, I think that was a pretty big thrill, to win in my first drive, I think that's top of the list at this stage," she said.
"It wasn't worth the most, it wasn't the biggest money race I've won, it was just a normal race, but it's pretty special when you breed them, own them train them - the whole lot."
On Wednesday night Hewitt will be looking to add another win to her tally when Cowgirls N Angels lines up in the NSW Standardbred Owners Association Pace (2,260 metres).
Her brother Jason Hewitt will be in the gig which she hopes will see the former New Zealand trained mare be on her best behaviour in her sixth Australian start. It will be her first race in a month, though she did win a trial in a 1:55.9 mile rate on October 19.
"I'm actually a lot happier with where she is at, she's going really well, I put my brother back on to drive her," Hewitt said.
"She has been quite a handful in the past, she's got a mind of her own, I try to help her with everything else, but I can't help what's in her head.
"That's why I'm being so persistent with her, I know she's got a lot of talent that mare, I think she's got a big future, she's just got to get her head right and I think she'll do a good job when she puts it all together."
