Lyle Hewitson is “pretty much” back to full fitness as he looks forward to nine rides at Sha Tin this Sunday and his reunion with smart four-year-old Packing Hermod next month.

Hewitson was sidelined for one meeting after suffering an acute sprain of the medial collateral ligament in his left knee, heavy bruising to the base of his quadriceps and some bruising in his right big toe after falling from Joyful Hunter on December 15.

“Everything is pretty much back to normal. My knee is 100 per cent and my toe is sore if it gets squeezed up in the gates or that sort of thing, but barring that I don’t really notice it when I’m riding,” said the South African jockey.

All Hewitson needs now is a winner or two – he’s yet to salute in December – and he’s hopeful his weekend book, which is headlined by the Mark Newnham-trained Full Credit, can deliver just that.

Full Credit jumps from gate two in the Class Three D’Aguilar Peak Handicap (1,200m) on the dirt after running second on the surface last start, while Hewitson also considers Beauty Viva among his better chances despite the three-year-old drawing gate 10 for his second Hong Kong start in the Class Three Eagle’s Nest Handicap (1,400m).

“I’ve got a bit of both ends with the draws – some are terrible and some are good – but mostly where I’ve needed draws I’ve got them, which is important,” Hewitson said.

“Gate two for Full Credit makes it easier and we saw last time that when he races on the dirt, he’s happy to take a bit of cover because last time he ran on really well.

“That draw gives us the option that if there’s not someone wanting to lead, we can do it, or if there’s a lot of speed he’s obviously comfortable sitting behind. From a good draw if he’s just tracking the speed he will have his chance to win.

“I think Beauty Viva is a rough chance. I think he will make solid improvement. He just didn’t have the speed over 1,200m on a biased track, but I thought he was starting to hit the line really well and he’ll be better with that run under the belt.

“Nothing else necessarily stands out but I wouldn’t be surprised if something put their hand up.”

Hewitson is also looking forward to reuniting with top Classic Mile hope Packing Hermod in a 1,400m Class Two on January 12.

Hewitson was in the saddle when the Francis Lui Kin-wai-trained galloper ran second last month but it was Joao Moreira doing the steering when the son of Rubick saluted on December 8.

“I don’t know what’s happening for the Classic Mile yet but I’m very happy to be aboard him again. I think that will be a quite a strong race,” said Hewitson, who was one of four jockeys suspended at Happy Valley on Thursday night and will miss the meeting on January 15.

“It’s always frustrating to miss a meeting but I’ll just take that time to freshen up and bounce back.”