Still on a high after a breakthrough win on Sunday, Lyle Hewitson is eyeing a Class Two success aboard Steps Ahead at Happy Valley on Wednesday night in a bid to add to his momentum.

The South African jockey booted home his first winner since returning from wrist and ankle fractures suffered in a nasty race fall in June when Metro Power bolted in at Sha Tin on the weekend.

The David Hayes-trained gelding led all the way to notch his first Hong Kong triumph, clocking a slick 55.33 seconds up the 1,000m straight.

“It was really impressive, so it was good to get off the mark in such fine style,” Hewitson said.

“He looks like a horse who might be able to go on with it a bit. You’ve got to respect the time he ran. I know we were on a good-to-firm track and it was running quick, but you still have to do it and he did it very well, so hopefully that bodes well for the future.

“Hopefully now with the monkey off the back with that first winner, we can grab another one or two quickly and a bit more support can come in.”

While Hewitson said he has had no issues with his ankle since returning to the saddle, he is taking all precautions with his wrist.

“I still tape the wrist up, half from a mental perspective and then just for a bit of support,” he said.

“It gives me no issues while riding and using it, but I’ve just got to look after it to make sure I get it back to full range of movement. There’s still a little bit of work to do just to make sure it’s 100 per cent.”

Turning his attention to the Valley’s midweek meeting, Hewitson is excited to reunite with the consistent Steps Ahead in the Class Two Shek O Handicap (1,650m).

He was aboard Francis Lui Kin-wai’s galloper for the final two legs of last season’s four-year-old series, finishing an eye-catching fifth in the Classic Cup (1,800m) and ninth when not beaten far in the Hong Kong Derby (2,000m).

Hewitson also piloted the three-time winner on his start after the Derby, finishing a close second to Californiatotality, whom he reopposes on Wednesday night.

“It’s good to be able to get back on him. It was sort of a late pickup, but he’s a solid ride,” Hewitson said.

“He’s got a slightly awkward draw [in barrier nine], but he’s a horse that sort of puts himself in the race and he was solid the whole of last season.

“During the four-year-old series I had suggested he’s a horse that probably wants the blinkers and also might want Happy Valley. Unfortunately, I wasn’t on him the time he went to the Valley with the blinkers on, but he sure enjoyed them [when a close second to Hong Lok Golf].

“He ran well, so there’s no reason he can’t continue that and after his gallop [on Monday morning], he actually seemed to be in a fairly decent vein of fitness. So going into the race, I think he’s in good shape to run a good race.”

Steps Ahead bumps into a solid Class Two contest that also features the likes of Soleil Fighter, Voyage Samurai, Jumbo Legend and Lo Rider.

Hewitson’s other two rides on the Valley card are Mark Newnham’s duo King Lotus and Exceed The Wish.

“King Lotus is a horse that could probably get a few points this season,” Hewitson said of the Royal Meeting gelding, who notched an impressive second-up win at the Valley last term.

“He surprised us to win so soon over 1,200m – we always thought he was going to want 1,400m to a mile to go and win. His gallop was great [on Monday morning] and it would be nice to able to lob midfield and I think he could finish with a wet sail again.”