While the Spring Cup was sponsored by Rhonda and Ross Hewitt in memory of their son Tony, a rising Armidale trainer who was tragically killed when hit by a train at Rosehill 10 years ago, the Armidale Jockey Club (AJC) also celebrated the life and memory of young jockey Tim Bell, who tragically died in a fall from a Singapore high-rise last week.

Both Bell andHewitt raced many times at Armidale and throughout the Hunter and North West Racing Association and the state during their all-too-short racing careers.

Hewitt began his training at Armidale and is fondly remembered by all as a kind and respectful young man with a knack for getting the best out of his horses.

That respect was repaid by all those present yesterday,  AJC chairman Rod Watt said.

“It is a very sad day,”  Watt said.

“But we are very happy to have Ross and Rhonda and all their family and friends here today.

“I know Tony had great support from his family.

“And I am also very pleased with the jockey support for Tony and the respect they have shown for Tim.”

Jockey Matthew Paget made a brief speech about the young career of  Bell when he raced in the HNWRA and Armidale as a rising apprentice, a young man of confidence and competence.

Ross Hewitt thanked all and sundry for coming and supporting the Tony Hewitt Memorial Spring Cup day.

Port Macquarie trainer Jenny Graham also thanked the Armidale club and all those associated with the Tony Hewitt Memorial Spring Cup after her most recent acquisition, Stradance, had won the feature race.

“It is a great pleasure to win this race. I’d like to thank the AJC and the Hewitt family,” she said.

Her daughter, Melinda Graham, piloted Stradance perfectly, leading throughout to score a length win from Strategic Flight with Buck Rogers a half length away third.

“It was another great ride,” the proud mother said of her daughter’s effort.

“She’s going very well.

24-year-old Melinda Graham also won the feature race for her mother at Armidale’s previous meeting, the Romantic Dream Plate with Miss Amajardan.

The filly then went to Sydney and won a Saturday metropolitan race.

“She’s had a little break,” Jenny Graham said of Miss Amajardan.

“She had a couple of weeks off but is back in work again now. 

“She had a nice little freshen-up and might go to the Inglis race in December.”

That is dependent on many factors.

Stradance, she said, was having just her third start for her.

“She’s coming along nicely,” she said.

Tom And Me then led all the way to win the next event and make it a race to race double for Jenny and Melinda Graham.