Olympian Rohan Browning beats jockey Hugh Bowman on world class sprinter ahead of The Everest

The going was soft and he was wearing football cleats for the first time in years but that did not stop Olympian Rohan Browning from taking on a racehorse in a tight finish at Royal Randwick today.

The going was soft and he was wearing football cleats for the first time in years but that did not stop Olympian Rohan Browning from beating a racehorse in a tight finish at Royal Randwick today.

“That was a bit of an adrenaline rush,” said jockey Hugh Bowman after charging towards the finishing post he hopes to cross first in the world’s richest race on turf on Saturday.

“My word he is quick,” said Bowman, who will be riding Lost and Running in the big $15 million race. “I have to build the revs for the weekend for The Everest.”

Olympic 100m sprinter Rohan Browning races champion jockey Hugh Bowman on-board Impossible Hero. Picture: Toby Zerna

Browning edges ahead down the straight at Royal Randwick to promote the TAB Everest race this weekend. Picture: Toby Zerna

Bowman started out at the 220 metre mark while the sprinter kicked off 100 metres from the line. Both were timed to run the distance at just over 10 seconds.

“I was trying to time my run so that we hit the post together but at about half way there I thought I am in trouble here,” Bowman said. “He just seemed to get quicker and quicker and I just couldn’t make the ground up.”

In fairness Bowman had been put off by the barrier trial for his mount Impossible Hero, who shares the stables of Lost and Running’s trainer John O’Shea.

Hugh Bowman on-board Impossible Hero. Picture: Toby Zerna

Rohan Browning before the race. Picture: Toby Zerna

The trial had been run with Richard Callander, chief executive of the NSW Trainers’ Association, running in the place of Australia’s fastest sprinter Browning. Trackside observers noted Callander carried more weight and several more years than the 23-year-old sprinter.

“I think I threw Hugh off,” puffed Callander afterwards. “Although I thought I had him at the 40 metre mark.”

Browning said it was his first time wearing football cleats in years and felt the long grass favoured horse and rider but in the end sheer terror gave him wings.

“The horse is so rhythmical and you can hear it speeding up behind you, it’s a little bit terrifying but it was a lot of fun,” he said. “I was definitely driven by fear more than anything.”

And he ended up with a great deal of respect for the horses that will be running in The Everest on Saturday. “It was amazing to get so close to such an amazing animal,” he said.

MAN VS HORSE: RACE THAT STUNS A NATION AT ROYAL RANDWICK

It promises to be one of the tightest and most extraordinary finishes to ever pass the winning post in Royal Randwick’s long and distinguished history.

Today Olympic sprinter Rohan Browning will take off down the final straight against jockey Hugh Bowman, who will be riding Lost and Running in The Everest on Saturday.

Browning, 23, is Australia’s fastest sprinter and can cover 100m in 10.01 seconds.

“I am looking forward to it, I have never done anything quite like it,” Browning said.

“Everyone is excited to see lockdown ease and this is a great, fun way to welcome back sporting events in NSW.”

Olympic sprinter Rohan Browning with jockey Hugh Bowman. Rohan will race Everest starter Lost and Running as a preview to the race. Picture: Dan Gray

Bearing down on him from a 220m standing start will be Bowman on a speeding racehorse from trainer John O’Shea’s stable.

Browning said that might help him pull out a special time because a “sense of fear” is not something “you usually have to manage when you are racing people”.

Bowman – who is in top form having won his 100th Group 1 race on Epsom Day – said: “It is left of field, but it is a great idea.”

He is looking at covering the distance in just over 10 seconds.

Trainer O’Shea said: “It’s going to be pretty tight; Rohan Browning will want to bring his A-game.”

Browning in action for Team Australia in the men's 100m at the Tokyo 2020 Olympic Games. Picture: Matthias Hangst/Getty Images

Hugh Bowman on Lost And Running after winning heat 2 during the barrier trials at Royal Randwick Racecourse in August. Picture: Mark Evans/Getty Images

And he’s not worried about the Olympian running next to the horse and spooking it.

“He won’t be running next to him; the horse will have him in his sights and then run straight past him,” he predicted.

O’Shea’s horse Lost And Running is in the TAB’s slot for The Everest, the world’s richest race on turf, on Saturday and is a decent chance for a slice of the $15 million prize money.

TAB spokesman Andrew Georgiou said: “Having a proud Olympian like Rohan help promote the fastest race on turf is only fitting.”

The easing of lockdown restrictions in NSW means 5000 people will be able to be trackside for The Everest on ­Saturday.

Browning has suggested his sense of fear at his formidable opponent could actually give him an extra edge. Picture: Kelly Defina/Getty Images

Crowd caps on The Everest will remain at 5000 and won’t be increased because the race comes so soon after the state hit the 70 per cent double vaccination target.

Jobs Minister Stuart Ayres said on Sunday: “It’s unfortunate that The Everest is scheduled where it is; it just makes it challenging for the government to change the road map for one event.

“The challenge is that The Everest is just going to land awfully close to the 80 per cent rate,” Mr Ayres said.