Hollywood Strip winning the 2026 NSW Derby Photo by Pacepix
BRAD Hewitt says Hollywood Strip is the most “naturally gifted” horse he has trained and he chases a 12th win from just 13 starts in Saturday night’s $100,000 Nutrien Sales Classic 3YO final at Wagga.
But he hastens to add that doesn’t include the freakish but injury-plagued Extreme Sea (trained by his father, David), who won seven of his 10 starts.
“I’ve never sat behind another horse like Extreme Sea, but it’s no disrespect to anything else because he was phenomenal,” Hewitt said.
“Hollywood Strip is second to him for sheer talent, but he’s still got his quirks and a bit to learn.”
That’s a huge wrap from Hewitt given he trains and drives proven topliner Captains Knock, who has won 27 races and almost $1.5 million in prize money if include his recent NSW Carnival of Cups bonus.
“Captains Knock is a wonderful horse, but if you’re asking who is more naturally gifted, ‘Strip’ has him covered,” Hewitt said.
Hollywood Strip, winner of the NSW Derby in March, is a commanding favourite to snare his third feature race win on Saturday night after drawing ideally in gate four.
“I’m very happy with the draw,” Hewitt said. “You never get too far ahead of yourself in this game, but he’s going to be very hard to beat.
“He’s so strong, but he’s incredibly fast, too. The 2270m is ideal for him, he’ll really run along, whether he’s in front or outside the leader.”
Such is the hype on Hollywood Strip, many think he could become the first three-year-old to win the world’s richest pacing race, the $1.5 million TAB Eureka, at Menangle in November.
But a Queensland raid awaits before then.
“I’d say he’ll have one more run here (NSW) before he goes to the (Group 1) Rising Sun (Albion Park, July 4) and then on to the Queensland Derby (July 18),” Hewitt said.
The Rising Sun will see Hollywood Strip’s biggest test with champion mare Captains Mistress and boom Kiwi pacer Marketplace his major rivals.
Captains Knock will accompany Hollywood Strip to Queensland with his target being the Inter Dominion pacing series, starting on July 4.
“He’s ready to go again. He’ll trial next week and then I’ll get a race or two into him before the first round of (Inter Dominion) heats,” Hewitt said.
“Old horses like him only need a couple of weeks off to recharge, which he seems to have done well after a long campaign.”
Sadly, Hewitt revealed earlier this week his former Inter Dominion trotting winner The Locomotive would not chase another crown in Brisbane.
The six-year-old recently had knee surgery with a view to returning to racing late this year.
PHOTO: Club Menangle/Pacepix
