Bowman’s brilliant three-timer his best haul in two months
Star jockey strikes top form with success aboard The Winnabe, Sky Trust and Patch Of Theta
By his own admission, Hugh Bowman had been consistently visiting the winner’s enclosure without striking vintage form.
With injury and multiple suspensions slowing down his hot start to the season, the star Australian jockey was steadily adding to his winning haul in recent weeks without dominating Sha Tin or Happy Valley cards.
But yesterday at Sha Tin, Bowman delivered on the potential of a strong book of rides with a treble – his first since March 3.
The 43-year-old was at his brilliant best on John Size’s debutant The Winnabe in the second section of the Class Four Racing Passion Handicap (1,200m), Caspar Fownes-trained Sky Trust in the second section of the Class Four Sha Tin Clubhouse Handicap (1,400m) and Francis Lui Kin-wai’s Patch Of Theta in the Class Three Beijing Clubhouse Handicap (1,400m).
“I’m just delighted to have a few winners, I’ve been chipping away, going well but it’s my first multiple-win day for a while,” Bowman said.
“I had a few nice rides. I thought a couple of my horses ran under par, but certainly the first starter [The Winnabe] was no surprise for him to do what he did.
“Patch Of Theta was no surprise either – I thought he was my best ride for the day – and Sky Trust has got scope for more in store.”
The Winnabe kick-started Bowman’s big day with a stylish victory, charging home from midfield to outlast fellow debutant Super Infinity by half a length.
The Caravaggio three-year-old converted his top trial form to race day, proving he has a bright future in Hong Kong.
“Nice horse – very natural,” Bowman said.
“He was aided by an advantageous draw [barrier two] today, but his trials have been good. He’s very sensible. We didn’t know what we were going to get when we asked for an effort but the response was very encouraging.”
Bowman then made the most of a pickup ride on Sky Trust, helping the So You Think three-year-old break through for his first victory at start seven.
Eighth on the turn, Sky Trust responded strongly when asked for an effort by Bowman to launch a powerful run down the outside in the straight.
He overhauled a brave on-speed run by Ariel to prevail by half a length, ending his streak of top five finishes at each of his first six starts.
“I wanted to back him up and it was a two-section race,” Fownes said, referencing Sky Trust’s close third to Jolly Ruler under Vincent Ho Chak-yiu eight days earlier.
I’ve been chipping away, going well but it’s my first multiple-win day for a while JOCKEY HUGH BOWMAN
“Vincent did nothing wrong on the horse but he already had a booking, so I wasn’t going to wait until the entries came out and see who was free, so Hughy rode him.
“He ran well last start and he’s been racing very consistently, so it was nice for him to get the win for us.”
Bowman arguably saved his best for the last race, booting Patch Of Theta home after securing a dream run just forward of midfield despite jumping from barrier nine.
“Hugh thought before the race barrier nine was a bit tricky. He said he would try go with the other horses and get cover and he did that,” Lui said.
Patch Of Theta continued his rapid emergence with his third win from his past four starts, defeating an unlucky Sunlight Power by a head.