AFTER a six-week absence from the gig, George Plains trainer-driver Bernie Hewitt made a successful return as he notched up four victories over the weekend.
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Hewitt was sidelined as a result of injuries sustained to his elbow, ribs, wrist and hands after being tipped out in the score up at Eugowra seven weeks ago.
Although not major injuries, Hewitt had to settle for watching his team in action to allow himself time to recover.
"There was nothing really majorly wrong, but I did have some tendon troubles in my elbow that took a little while to heal," Hewitt said.
"The main problem was that I was dragged along by the horse and was hitting the outside rail, that made my injuries worse."
During his time away from the track, Hewitt was still able to train 10 winners. The driving was done courtesy of sons Jason and Doug Hewitt plus concession driver Tom Pay.
"The boys did a great job while I was out but I'm happy to be back now and back on the track," Hewitt said.
After being cleared to drive, Hewitt wasted no time in returning to the winner's circle.
Making the trip to Temora on Saturday night, Hewitt posted a first and a second.
After having to do it tough sitting outside the leader, pacer Angel Shark was able to hold on for second with Taylors Mill taking out the following race in all the way fashion.
Hewitt then backed-up the following day, taking a team of four horses to Dubbo for their annual Gilgandra Cup day.
The day began on a high for Bathurst's leading trainer, scoring a race-to-race double in the opening two events courtesy of Theagenes ($2.80 favourite) and Gotta Kick ($1.70 favourite).
Beginning from the outside of the second line, three-year-old Theagenes let the field settle before whipping around to park outside the leader.
From there, the gelding was too strong in what was a good fight to the finish. The Art Major x Willing Creek gelding won by 1.9m over Jacobs Thunder ($4.40) to post the second victory of his 14-start career.
It was déjà vu for Hewitt in race two, with Gotta Kick also getting caught in the death seat.
Once again though, Hewitt's runner was too strong in the run to the finish able to win by a narrow neck margin over the Nathan Hurt trained Tulhurst Lover ($14).
It was the first win of Gotta Kick's career, the Roll With Joe x Dipped In Gold gelding clocking a 1:59.3 mile rate.
But that double was not the end of Hewitt's success.
Hewitt's third winner for the day meant he was able to bookend the card, with Alta Equus ($3 favourite) taking out the last. He won by a convincing 7.9m.
"It was a long weekend but the outcome made it worth it," Hewitt said.