Hugh Bowman chases back-to-back wins in The Hunter before signing off for three-month Hong Kong stint
The Hunter Day at Newcastle marks the last Australian meeting for champion jockey Hugh Bowman before he heads to Hong Kong for a three-month stint and he can go out a winner.
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Hall of Fame jockey Hugh Bowman can leave for his three-month riding stint in Hong Kong with winning momentum from The Hunter meeting at Newcastle on Saturday.
Bowman has eight rides including the Kris Lees-trained Gem Song in the $1 million The Hunter (1300m).
Lees has trained three successive second placings in The Hunter with Wandabaa (2021), Special Reward (2020) and Tactical Advantage (2019) and will be banking on some Bowman “magic” to go one better with Gem Song.
Bowman is aiming for his second win in The Hunter with Gem Song ($16) after he scored on the brilliant Lost And Running last year.
Among the champion jockey’s other rides on Saturday is the Lees-trained Loch Eagle in the Karaka 2023 Benchmark 88 Handicap (1300m).
Bowman also links with trainer Chris Waller with the classy Kukeracha in the $300,000 The Beauford (2300m) and the emerging Rediener in the Group 3 $200,000 Spring Stakes (1600m).
The TAB Fixed Odd price assessors rate Bowman’s best as Global Ausbred ($4 favourite) in the Trans-Tasman Trophy (1850m).
Bowman, famous as the regular rider of the mighty mare Winx, has ridden 2542 career winners with 104 at Group 1 level including 99 Australian majors. He leaves for Hong Kong after the Newcastle meeting and is due to return in February for the start of the Sydney autumn carnival.
THE BEST BARRIERS
The best barriers at Newcastle for the last 3 years (in order of wins)
900m: 2,4,3,1
1300m: 4,2,5,3
1400m: 4,6,3,1
1600m: 4,2,7,3
1850m: 1,3,2,4
2300m: 1,4,7,2
THE BIG BETS AND MARKET MOVERS
Race 1: The Dramatist $6.50-$5-$4.80 with a bet of $437 at $6.50, Smooth Esprit $12-$9
Race 2: Manderboss $9-$4.80
Race 3: Zoukina $26-$11-$6.50 with a bet of $500 at $7.50
Race 4: King Frankel $8-$3.10-$2.60 with bets of $600 at $8, $582 at $4.40, $690 at $3.90, $715 at $3.80, $741 at $3.70, $770 at $3.60, $800 at $3.50, $834 at $3.40, $870 at $3.30, $910 at $3.10, $1,000 at $3, $2,500 at $2.70
Race 5: Sebrenco $7-$4.80-$5, Floating $13-$10-$11, Wrathful $13-$6.50-$7 after bets of $300 e/w at $11/$3.60, $500 e/w at $10/$3.30, $1,000 e/w at $7/$2.60
Race 6: Bonny Ezra $10-$7, Global Ausbred $4.20-$3.30 after bets of $1,050 at $4, $667 at $4, $500 at $4, Maurice’s Medad $14-$10
Race 7: Robusto $8-$6, So You Battle $51-$31, Marillier $101-$31-$34
Race 8: Vilana $6-$5 after bets of $500 at $6, $500 at $5.50 twice, Skyman $15-$12, Brutality $26-$18, Waihaha Falls $8-$5
Race 9: Waihaha Falls $3.20-$2.70 with bets of $1,000 at $3.20, $1,000 at $3, $1,500 at $2.70, $1,000 at $2.70, Democracy Manifest $6-$4.80-$5
Race 10: Tony Be $19-$11 with bets of $1,000 at $17, $1,000 at $14, $1,000 at $11, Kermanding $17-$10-$5 with a bet of $500 at $8
EARLY QUADDIE
Race 3: 1,2,3,4
Race 4: 1,4,5,8
Race 5: 3,6,7
Race 6: 2,7,12
QUADDIE
Race 7: 1,2,3,6
Race 8: 1,5,6,8
Race 9: 1,5,8,11
Race 10:3,8,11
PRICE CHECK
King Frankel (race 4) has been heavily backed from $8 to $2.60 after some big bets of $600 at $8, $690 at $3.90, $715 at $3.80, $741 at $3.70, $770 at $3.60, $800 at $3.50, $834 at $3.40, $870 at $3.30, $910 at $3.10, $1,000 at $3 and $2,500 at $2.70
TRIAL POINTERS
Cylinder (race 1) is a son of the world’s best sire of two-year-olds namely Exceed And Excel and is the third foal of Matron Stakes winning mare, Circular. A daughter of Winx’s sire, Street Cry, Circular’s third dam is Shadea who is best known as the mother of Lonhro and his triple Group 1 winning brother, Niello. As for Cylinder, he has been primed for his debut in Saturday’s Max Lees Classic (900m) with two outstanding trials in recent winners finishing a close second in the first one at Randwick on October, two weeks prior to his own narrow but still comfortable win over stablemate and Max Lees rival, Ferghana (Exceed And Excel - Alizes).
Festival Dancer (race 9) is set to make her second straight appearance at Newcastle on The Hunter undercard having taken out the 2021 Group 3 NJC Spring Stakes (1600m). The Matthew Smith-trained daughter of former Coalfields champion Choisir, hasn’t raced since finishing last of the 18 in the Queensland Oaks but has looked the part in her two trials at Hawkesbury and Randwick in the last couple of weeks. Granted, she finished last of nine in her October 28 trial at Randwick but was only beaten three lengths and was never asked for an effort.
SECTIONAL STARS
Saveadateforme (race 7) would be a worthy and appropriate winner of the Group 3 NJC Spring Stakes sponsored by New Zealand Bloodstock owing to the fact that he was himself a Karaka Premier Yearling graduate in 2021. Born and raised at Waikato Stud, the son of the great Savabveel was sold for $220,000 which is more or less a bargain now given the colt’s epic talent and potential. Not many horses win a Class 1 after a maiden, fewer win a Class 2 let alone in the wholly dominant style which this John O’Shea-trained colt has done to remain unbeaten.”
Kedah (race 10) can commemorate her 40th race day appearance on Saturday with a win that would surely be a fitting end to The Hunter day card given that she is trained by the local hero. Kris Lees. Kedah has a genuine affinity with the Newcastle track having raced there four times for two wins and a second. Her only unplaced run at the track still contained merit bearing in mind the daughter of Per Incanto was only three lengths off Hope In Your Heart in the Group 3 Tibbie Plate. As for more recent times, Kedah was something of an eye-catcher on The Big Dance when coming from last of 20 to finish midfield and running through the line at the same time.
BEST BET
Global Ausbred (race 6) won three of his five starts last campaign including over the Newcastle 1870m before resuming with a very good fourth in Vilana’s Silver Eagle. Global Ausbred then ran right up to that effort when he chased home boom galloper Waterford at Rosehill two weeks ago. He won third-up last campaign and goes to Newcastle on Saturday primed after two very good efforts this spring. Ready to win.
VALUE BET
Sindacato (race 10) took a while to accelerate under 59kg at Warwick Farm but then worked to the line well to go under narrowly behind Redwood Shadow. They clash again but Sindacato drops 4.5kg, meets his rival better at the weights, and is peaking fourth-up from a spell. He’s good value around $9.
THE JUDGMENT
R4: The Beauford (2300m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “The stayers get their chance to race for good prizemoney in The Beauford over 2300m. John Sargent saddles up two chances, and I thought it might be Gin Martini can be strongest at the end. A mare that has always shown staying prowess, absolutely nothing went her way last start. With 52kg and a clear crack at them in the straight, she’ll be hard to hold out. She’ll have to get past King Frankel. He was scratched at the barrier last week, he’ll roll along in the lead and be tough to catch. I can’t understand why Sound Of Cannons is the outsider, he has a sense of timing about him and it’s about now in his preparation that he peaks. Kukeracha has the big weight but comes out of the strongest form race.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “I thought the value here lay with Gin Martini getting to 2300m at her fourth run in. I think it’s crucial she is ridden positive from this alley to go forward and sit on the back of Fun Fact and King Frankel. One of her career best efforts was in the Oaks when ridden that way and her only 2 wins have been when she has gone forward.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Gin Martini should have finished much closer to the winner last time after been steadied and bumped. Go back to last preparation she was competitive in an ATC Australian Oaks and The Roses in QLD this distance range.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “King Frankel is one of the best supported runners of the day. We went up $4.20 and they came immediately with a strong surge of money. Now trading $2.80. Does look the progressive runner with the light weight. With that said, he seems short enough now. Very even contest away from him so we’ll be putting the favourite in and hoping for a result.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “King Frankel drops some serious weight here. Big money has come for him early and I love the Mark Newnham / Tyler Schiller combination.”
Verdict: Gin Martini
R7: Spring Stakes (1600m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “I was at Hawkesbury when Kazalark won last start and although he’s a horse still learning his craft, he won with ease. Physically he’s a beauty and I’m happy to be with him. Saveadateforme couldn’t have been any more impressive at Goulburn last start and poses a major threat. Token Capitalist comes out of the Group 2 Callander-Presnell and Golden Mile form is good form. I like the way Pierossa broke through last start and she’s in the mix.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Loved the way Robusto finished off when winning on the Kensington track last start and it was significant he was ridden very cold and left to swoop wide out. Poor draw him surely ridden in the same manner here which should enable him to get the 1600m. His Brisbane Winter runs are good enough to be right in the finish.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Although many in this bring strong metropolitan and Group form to the race Saveadateforme looks well above average and was devastating stepping to the mile last time.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “Tricky race with several runners arriving here after grand finals or are in their first prep. Saveadateforme ($3) looks progressive but have to take on at the price. Of the Chris Waller runners, Robusto has been the one they’ve wanted $8.50-$6. Good last start win and finds James McDonald. One at a price for me that I think can run a race is So You Battle. Bred for this trip and was unlucky last time out.”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “Open affair and I like one at odds in Basquiat. Gets back onto a Good track and his placings behind Kibou and Golden Mile a few months back have him right in this.”
Verdict: Saveadateforme
R8: The Hunter (1300m)
Richard Haynes (Sky Sports Radio): “The Hunter has attracted a terrific field. If you like one don’t let me talk you out of it, but the Greg Hickman-trained Eleven Eleven will do me here. The heavy track and everything that went with the rescheduled Manikato Stakes was against him first up, and if Tommy Berry can get him comfortable from his wide draw, he has as good a finish as any horse in this race. In The Congo is a tough and classy on speed type, the drop back to 1300m is a tick and he’ll be hard to run down. Overpass has been in with the best, I wonder if he rolls across near the speed from the barrier, he seems silly odds. Skylab resumes and along with Lion’s Roar are the best of the roughies.”
Glenn Munsie (Sky Racing): “Vilana goes from drawing the oil refinery at Rosehill to a single digit barrier here so no surprise to see him position much, much closer in the run. Just gave away an impossible start in the Golden Eagle. First up win in Silver Eagle was dominant. Gem Song the danger as he races very well at Newcastle.”
Grant Palmer (bookie): “Vilana drew 20 and was forced back into an impossible position last time out in the Golden Eagle. Back 200m here but with plenty of speed on you know he’ll be very strong late.”
Michael Sullivan (bookie): “We want to keep In The Congo very safe. Brings the right form line through the Golden Eagle where he led them up at a good clip and was gallant to the line. Back to 1300m with Tim Clark a tick and looks very hard to catch. Two at odds we’ve seen good money for are Swats That ($41-$21) and Brutality ($21-$17).”
Andrew Georgiou (TAB): “In The Congo will give a tremendous sight from gate two. Vilana is the one the early money has come for while Gem Song is my each way play in a fantastic race.”
Verdict: Vilana
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