Hugh Bowman suspended for six weeks after Rosehill race fall
There are whispers of double standards after Hugh Bowman was banned for his involvement in a horror fall at Rosehill which resulted in a horse being euthanized and a its jockey hospitalised.
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Champion jockey Hugh Bowman has been hit with a six-week ban after being found guilty of careless riding which contributed to a horror fall at Rosehill last Saturday.
Racing NSW acting chief steward Wade Birch found Bowman rode in a “careless manner” near the 300m mark when he shifted out on eventual winner, Smart Image, causing a tiring
Hot ‘N’ Hazy, ridden by Andrew Adkins, to clip the heels of Duchess and crash to the turf.
Adkins has multiple injuries from the fall — broken left leg and collarbone, seven rib fractures and a collapsed lung. He remains in a high dependency ward at Westmead Hospital and won’t ride again this year.
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Hot ‘N’ Hazy suffered catastrophic injuries in the fall and had to be euthanized. Another runner, Sunborn, copped the backwash of the interference and has needed surgery on a broken bone in her near foreleg and won’t race for at least six months.
Stewards took evidence from Bowman, Glyn Schofield (Mr Colorful) and Robbie Dolan (Duchess) during the two-hour hearing on Thursday morning. Birch said he had spoken with Adkins and explained stewards could progress the matter with having to rely on the injured jockey’s evidence.
Please see below my statement following today’s hearing. pic.twitter.com/8pwU4s2SbB
— Hugh Bowman (@HugeBowman) July 30, 2020
If it was anybody else they would’ve got 6 months
— Gregory Yule (@BaileyYule1) July 30, 2020
Bowman, who pleaded not guilty to the charge, expressed his remorse for the incident but told stewards he could not be solely to blame for the fall as there were other contributing factors.
The jockey, famous as the regular rider of the great mare Winx, provided stewards with 19 still photos of the race incident to support his case.
The official stewards head-on film of the incident showed that there wasn’t a run for Bowman inside of leader Mr Colorful near the 300m.
Bowman said he then made a “split second decision” to move to the outside of Mr Colorful as he was confident he could “shift Andrew Adkins out safely” to make more room.
COMMENT: Protected species? Bowman detractors must look at facts
He argued that there was a run for Smart Image between leader Mr Colorful and Hot ‘N’ Hazy but when he made his move Mr Colorful began to shift out under pressure.
“As I made my decision, almost simultaneously, we are talking less than half a second, Glyn’s horse started to shift out,’’ Bowman said.
“My actions were then concentrated on trying to keep my horse balanced and out of danger. I wasn’t continuing to ride more horse out at this point of the race.”
NSW stewards gutless. Should be 6 months #goldenchild
— Paul Tyson (@paultys18) July 30, 2020
Schofield told stewards he felt the shift outwards by his mount, Mr Colorful, was “inconsequential” to the incident.
“I can’t see much of a run there,’’ Schofield said of Bowman’s decision to angle Smart Image between Mr Colorful and Hot ‘N’ Hazy.
Birch said there was no template for Bowman‘s charge and the consequences of the fall but said a “reasonable ban for such an offence would be three months”.
Before penalty, Bowman was given the opportunity to defend the charge.
“I’m remorseful or the incident that happened. I’ve ridden in a lot of races, I would consider myself a careful rider and this was by no means a rushed or spur of the moment decision,” Bowman said.
“It was a calculated one which unfortunately resulted in devastating circumstances but that said, I have to disagree with the stewards‘ finding.”
Stewards took into account the jockey’s “race riding record, the contribution of the horse (Mr Colourful) racing forward of you and the time of year” before handing down the six week penalty.
That was one of the worst cases of a rider causing interference I have ever seen he had his horse sideways. His suspension is a joke. Whoever made that decision should be sacked !!!! What is your opinion Ray ?
— Craig Dodd (@CraigDodd7) July 30, 2020
Bowman, who can resume riding on September 11, made a brief statement to the media after the inquiry.
“Firstly I’d like to wish Andrew Adkins a full and speedy recovery,’’ Bowman said.
“I spoke to Andrew on the phone to convey how sorry I was for the accident. He is in good spirits, which was very pleasing and reassuring to hear.
“To (trainer) Danny Williams and the connections of Hot ‘N’ Hazy, I would like to share my condolences to them.
“Having been involved with horses all my life I know how tragic it is with the loss of a horse and for all concerned.
“Jockeys are required to make split [second] decisions under enormous pressure and as a jockey with over 20 years of riding experience I have always prided myself on riding competitively, but also within the rules.
“Those who know me well know that it is never my intention to risk injury to fellow jockeys and horses when I ride and my record over many seasons attests to that. I look forward to riding against him (Adkins) upon his return.”
Bowman declined to comment when asked if he would appeal the penalty.
The Form: Complete NSW Racing thoroughbred form, including video replays and all you need to know about every horse, jockey and trainer. Find a winner here!
QUANTUM LAUNCH
Quantum looks to have a bright future after an easy win on debut at Warwick Farm on Wednesday for trainer Matthew Dunn.
The $150,000 Magic Millions yearling by Starspangledbanner beat only a small field but did it with a touch of class under Brenton Avdulla who was impressed.
“He doesn’t know what it’s all about yet. He wanted to chop and change his lead legs which is a sign of a horse who doesn’t know how to hit top gear,” Avdulla said. “I asked for his effort and he put them away with a bit more up his sleeve.”
A lovely debut from Quatum who handled the conditions well and kicked off his career with a win in his first start for @mattydunnracing and @brentonavdulla pic.twitter.com/xkVNcm91Vc
— Sky Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 29, 2020
Kiera Dunn said her husband will be waiting for the weather to heat up and give his three-year-old firmer ground which he’ll need if he’s to do well at a higher level.
“The wet track wasn’t ideal but he’ll go on to bigger and better things,” Dunn said.
“Brenton rode him in his trial at Rosehill and said he didn’t get through the ground as well as if he would if he was on top of the ground so we will see better things.”
FREEDMAN STEPS UP
Sam Freedman will officially become a trainer as of August 1 as he teams up with dad Anthony after being his assistant trainer for the past three seasons.
“Sam has worked hard since coming home from Europe and deserves to be officially recognised in partnership” Anthony said.
“This was the next step for him. He can see things differently through his experiences overseas and is enthusiastic about the progress and promotion of the stable.”
SALUTE TO WINX
The ATC will host a luncheon to celebrate the career of Winx and the general public can now buy tickets. It will happen on Saturday, August 22, which is Winx Stakes day.
Winx’s part-owners Peter Tighe and Debbie Kepitis will speak at the event which will be held in the Ballroom in the Queen Elizabeth Stand at Randwick. “It is wonderful that Winx is still loved and talked about now that she is a broodmare,” Kepitis said.
Go on the ATC website to book tickets which cost $250 per person and includes entry, reserved seating, three-course lunch and a beverage package which includes beer and wine.
MCEVOY LOCKED IN
It’s of no huge surprise but Kerrin McEvoy was confirmed at Classique Legend’s jockey for this year’s Everest. McEvoy won the first two runnings of Australia’s richest race on Redzel. Classique Legend is a $9 hope for the race behind $4.50 favourite Nature Strip and Alligator Blood.
TRAINER BANNED
Albury trainer Laura McCullum was disqualified for four months for providing false evidence to stewards. McCullum, who trained her first and only runner at Leeton on Monday, provided false evidence in relation to her attendance at Wodonga trackwork.
Meanwhile, Bjorn Baker will front the licensing committee in the next fortnight over his show-cause hearing in relation to a possible COVID breach involving the Crossroads Hotel.
ATC PLAY IF SAFE WITH TRIALS
Sydney’s rain has prompted the Australian Turf Club to transfer three Group-class barrier trials scheduled for Randwick on Tuesday to the Kensington course on Friday.
The remaining 20 Randwick trials will go ahead on the Polytrack on Tuesday and still feature some potential spring carnival contenders including Dame Giselle, Brandenburg, Hightail, Prime Star, Sixgun, Rulership and Stellar Pauline.
Friday’s Kensington trials will include Group 1 winners Kolding, Dreamforce, Con Te Partiro, Melody Belle, Probabeel, Fierce Impact and Kings Will Dream.
THEY’RE RACING BUT FARM CLOSED
Sydney’s final race meeting of the 2019-20 season will be held behind closed doors at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Racing NSW stewards are to only allow restricted personnel on track at Warwick Farm with the meeting closed to owners and the public. This comes after the Warwick Farm meeting on July 15 was abandoned due to a COVID-19 scare at the nearby Crossroads Hotel.
Warwick Farm was rated a heavy 10 on Monday but ATC officials are confident the meeting will go ahead with clearing weather predicted.
BIG WET DOESN’T STOP BIG NUMBERS
There are a healthy 141 nominations for the first race meeting of season 2020-21 at Royal Randwick on Saturday. Several promising horses have been entered, including Godolphin’s talented sprinters Kordia and Roheryn, import I Am Superman, in-form gallopers Inanup and Lewis, and emerging filly Montefilia.
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CURSED JOCKEY TALKS ON HOLD
Racing NSW stewards are hopeful of interviewing injured jockey Andrew Adkins this week to continue their inquiry into the horror fall in the opener at Rosehill Gardens last Saturday.
Adkins, rider of Hot ‘N’ Hazy, was left with a badly broken left leg, seven rib fractures, a broken collarbone and collapsed lung after his mount crashed to the turf at the 300m mark of the home straight.
Hot’ ‘N’ Hazy was found to have suffered a catastrophic injury to his near-foreleg. Sadly, veterinarians had no other option but to have the colt euthanised.
As Adkins was being rushed to nearby Westmead Hospital, stewards interviewed four jockeys, Hugh Bowman (rider of eventual winner Smart Image), Glyn Schofield (Mr Colorful), apprentice Louise Day (Sunborn) and Jason Collett (Lady Banff) about the incident before adjourning the inquiry.
Adkins underwent surgery on Sunday and remains in a high dependency ward for the next two days.
Racing NSW’s Dr David Duckworth reported the jockey had a rod put in his tibia (leg) and a plate on his clavicle (collarbone). He also had a drain out in his chest due to the pneumothorax (collapsed lung) from his fractured ribs.
Racing NSW acting chief steward Wade Birch is unable to set a date to resume the inquiry into the Rosehill fall.
“I don’t think we will get this inquiry done until later in the week at the earliest,’’ Birch said.
“Andrew will be heading back to his parents place at Port Macquarie once he recovers from surgery.
“I will then be speaking to Andrew when the time is appropriate to determine when he is well enough to give evidence.’’
Adkins and Hot ‘N’ Hazy got caught in a squeeze play at the top of the straight when Smart Image eased around the heels of leader Mr Colorful.
Bowman, who is under most scrutiny from stewards, maintained during Saturday’s inquiry that he felt “at the time I made the call to go to go to the outside of Glyn I could do so without causing any interference to Andrew.’’
“There was a shift by the horse in front of me (Mr Colorful) and I was committed to the move that I made,’’ he said.
Birch noted that at the 300m he felt there had been a run for Smart Image for a “short distance” but that run closed when Mr Colorful shifted out slightly.
Bowman, who rode a treble at Rosehill including the Winter Challenge Final on promising Mugatoo, was singled out by many social media observers for contributing to the fall.
Stewards have not yet issued any charges over the incident. They must first determine if a rider is at fault and if that jockey’s actions were careless or reckless, or if extenuating circumstances contributed to the fall.
If a jockey is found guilty by stewards for being reckless, the penalty is considerably longer than a careless riding charge.
TOUGHEST OF RIDES FOR ADKINS
Andrew Adkins is one of Sydney racing’s most talented young jockeys but his career has been dogged by bad luck in the past 18 months.
Adkins had a terrible fall at Randwick on Day Two of The Championships last year — Winx’s farewell raceday — which left the rider with three fractures in his back, broken sternum, ribs, jaw and nose.
He spent many months recuperating from those injuries and had only been back riding a few weeks, winning the $1 million Golden Gift on Dame Giselle last November, before he suffered a broken wrist.
The Rosehill fall last Saturday, certainly one of the more shocking incidents in Sydney racing in recent years, will keep him out of the saddle for another extended period.
But Adkins is a determined young man and although this latest incident will test his resolve, he has youth on his side and will in time resume his successful riding career.
It was impossible not to feel for Adkins and also Hot ‘N’ Hazy’s trainer Danny Williams and owners after their young sprinter’s tragic demise.
J-MAC TOP OF THE POPS
James McDonald, Sydney’s premier jockey, was the most successful big-race rider of 2019-20.
McDonald rode 28 Group or Listed winners — including five at Group 1 level — to top the jockey rankings from Hugh Bowman on 24 stakes wins. Craig Williams was the leading Group 1 jockey with six majors.
Chris Waller trained 47 stakes winners for the season including nine Group 1 successes to be leading trainer in both categories.
Viridine’s Bletchingly Stakes win at Caulfield last Saturday capped Godolphin trainer James Cummings successful season that included 38 stakes winners, six at Group 1 level.
PIKE DOES THE IMPOSSIBLE AGAIN
Perth’s champion jockey Willie Pike has broken his own national record for most wins in a season.
Pike rode a double on Truly Great and Inspirational Girl at Belmont last Saturday to take his tally to 235 wins for the 2019-20 season, one more than the record he set last season.
In a sustained period of excellence, Pike has now ridden at least 200 winners for a record five successive seasons.
ENABLE’S TRIPLE FEAT
England’s super mare Enable became the first three-time winner of the King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes at Ascot.
Enable scored her 11th Group 1 win and improved her record to 14 wins (and three placings) from 17 starts as she romped home more than five lengths from Sovereign and Japan.
The only disappointing aspect of the King George was that only two horses lined up against Enable for what is described as Britain’s most prestigious open-age flat race.
Trainer John Gosden said Enable is likely to go to the Yorkshire Oaks next before attempting an unprecedented third win in Europe’s biggest race, the Prix de l’Arc de Triomphe at Longchamp in early October.
HUGH SAVES BEST UNTIL LAST IN EVENTFUL COMEBACK
Mugatoo showed why he is regarded as a Group 1 spring carnival contender as champion jockey Hugh Bowman completed a treble in a drama-filled comeback to Sydney racing at Rosehill.
Bowman saved the best for last, bringing Mugatoo with a well-timed run to take out the final stakes race of the season, the Listed $150,000 Winter Challenge (1500m) on Saturday.
Trainer Kris Lees has been left with a welcome dilemma — trying to determine what races to target with boom import Mugatoo in the new season.
NRL RICH LIST: FIND OUT WHO’S RAKING IN THE BIG BUCKS
“Mugatoo has a bit of brilliance about him and we are keeping all our options open with this horse,’’ he said.
“We will probably wait five weeks to the Premier’s Cup but after that I’m not sure.
“He will be entered for everything, he’s the type who could go to an Epsom or a Metropolitan.
“I’m in no rush to get him to weight-for-age but this could be the season to try him at that level because he has the acceleration.’’
Former English galloper Mugatoo ($4.60 equal favourite), another successful overseas find by Australian Bloodstock’s Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett, came from near last on the turn to win by three-quarters of a length from Sambro ($11) with Taikomochi ($13) just over a length away third.
Order Again, who started equal favourite, was beaten just over two lengths into fourth placing while Noble Boy, last-start winner of the Winter Stakes, was trapped three-wide for most of the race and dropped out from the turn to finish at the rear.
Bowman, riding for the first time in more than a month, also won on Smart Image in the opener where he was questioned by stewards about the fall that left jockey Andrew Adkins (Hot ’N’ Hazy, who was put down) with a broken left leg and collarbone and Dancing Gidget, also predicted big things from Mugatoo in the new season.
“Kris has a high opinion of him as does the stable,’’ Bowman said. “He put the writing on the wall last preparation and I think he has an exciting future
“I think he is still very ‘wintry’ in the coat and has improvement. He’s certainly a class horse and showed that in the final stages.’’
Bowman rode Mugatoo patiently early and wasn’t concerned when the gelding was many lengths from the lead mid-race.
“I was more worried about having the horse ‘comfortable’,’’ Bowman said.
“He was first up for a while but I knew his class would take him a long way.
“When Sam (Clipperton on Order Again) made the move mid-race to track them up three-wide from the 700m, that fell into my hands.
“I was able to increase into the race without spending any energy and he was strong through the line.’’
Mugatoo scored his sixth win from just 12 starts and gave Lees and the Australian Bloodstock team their second win of the day after Korcho scored.
Lees said the solid early tempo suited Mugatoo but he was impressed with the gelding’s finishing sprint.
“He picked up some nice horses there and he was pretty strong through the line, which is what we wanted to see,” Lees said.
“He took a little bit of relaxing. I will be interested to see what Hugh thought, he raced a little bit fresh in the early stages but I shouldn’t judge him on today as he was first-up from a spell.
“He looked the winner a long way from home … he’s a horse you could set for anywhere between here and 2400 and he’d make his presence felt.”
AT THE TRACK
By Matt Jones
BROKEN BUT STILL SMILING
Everyone in the racing industry was feeling for Andrew Adkins after another shocking fall at Rosehill which will keep him out of the sport for an extended period.
“It seems he’s had more bad luck in his short career than most jocks have had in a lifetime of riding,” ex-hoop Peter Robl said.
Adkins fractured his tibia and fibula in his left leg that‘s now fixed with a nail. He also has a fractured clavicle that needs a plate fix and seven broken ribs — but he was able to give us a thumbs-up in the ambo on his way to hospital.
Our thoughts are with Danny Williams, whose horse Hot ‘N’ Hazy was put down after the fall. He was Williams’ next big thing and was his Kosciuszko hope.
QUESTIONS REMAIN OVER MUGATOO
Mugatoo has been made equal $8 favourite with Master Of Wine for The Metropolitan in the spring after his win at Rosehill.
The stable didn’t think he was a big chance over 1500m but the English import’s class shone through.
Will he run the 2400m, though, or is his destiny at 2000m?
The connections still aren’t 100 per cent sure.
JAIL TIME REWARD FOR THE MONSTAR
We often here about a lot of ex-racehorses and how they’re going in retirement and two Brett Cavanough runners, The Monstar and Just A Bullet, are enjoying a different life than most. “The Monstar’s entertaining inmates at the Muswellbrook jail,” Cavanough said.
“They were both pretty hard old horses who didn’t need to be showjumpers because they gave everything on the track.
“They’re larrikins so they went to the jail to be brushed, patted and fed and they give inmates therapy.”
SUPER ACCOLADE FOR PVL
Cavanough also had a good quote to share about Peter V’landys and how well he’s handled challengers over the years: “How good has V’landys been in the job. He’s handled the Pope, he’s handled EI and he’s handled COVID and we haven’t lost a stride,” Cavanough said.
JUST NOT HIS KNIGHT
Danny Williams knows what it takes to win a Highway race and even though Vibrant Knight had won two in the bush we was worried about how ready he was for a Highway pre-race given he was still a bit of “dumb bugger” and jockey Hugh Bowman confirmed that to stewards after he ran 11th.
“He was keen in the mid stages. I don’t think he’s seasoned enough for that type of pressure,” Bowman said.
The top jockey also said Desert Path had his excuses in the 2400m race won by Korcho.
“I thought he went well and that I was too far back,” Bowman said.
“When he jumped he was lethargic so I tried to keep him where he was happy and the horse in front of me was coming back in my face the entire trip.”
TRAINER’S SWIMMING LESSONS
Mishani Fraudster took out the first race at Doomben for Eagle Farm trainer Les Ross and when asked why his horses go so well in the wet he said it was simple — he trains them on wet tracks all the time.
“Trainers with $400,000 horses don’t want to gallop them in the wet but I do,” Ross said.
FAMOUS STRAPPER FOLLOWS MARE
Umut Odemislioglu, famous for being Winx’s strapper, has left the Chris Waller stable and Waller said he’d be missed as he looks to a new path in his career.
TAB BIG BETS
RACE ONE
The money and market move was spot on for the running of the SKY Racing Active Handicap (1200m).
Early in the week TAB had Smart Image and Hot ‘n’ Hazy as equal $4.60 favourites but weight of money saw the latter take over at the top of betting.
Opening the day as a $3.10 favourite, Hot ‘n’ Hazy blew dramatically out to $7 as the big money came for Smart Image ($3.80-$2.40-$2.70).
The pair held a whopping 75 per cent of the total investment.
BETS: Smart Image $1,034 @ $3.90, $1,579 @ $2.90, $5,000 @ $2.60, $3,000 @ $2.60, $1,250 @ $2.60, $1,100 @ $2.60, $1,000 @ $2.60
BETS: Hot ‘n’ hazy $1,250 @ $6, $1,000 @ $6
BETS: Shaik $1,000 @ $9
RACE TWO
Freehearted didn’t attract much interest for the running of the Xtravagant At Newhaven Park Sprint (1200m).
Hovering around the $15-$16 mark, Freehearted jumped at the latter quote and thanks to a ducking and weaving ride by Glyn Schofield was able to nail them late.
Jay Jay D’ar ($19-$17) and Tardis ($26 on Wednesday, $11 today) added plenty of spice to the exotics.
The three most popular runners, which all held six figures, were Lillemor ($4.20-$4.80), Willowheart ($4.60-$5) and In Lighten Me ($5.50) all failed to figure in the placings.
BETS: Willowheart $1,000 @ $4.80
BETS: Tardis $1,000 @ $11
BETS: Super Oasis $1,000 @ $5.50 TWICE
BETS: Lillemor $1,000 @ $4.80 TWICE
RACE THREE
Despite a big drift in betting, Eiger proved best in the TAB Highway Class 3 Plate (1500m).
The Brett Cavanough-trained gelding was $6.50 in the morning but got out to $12 at the jump after peaking at $13 just minutes out from the jump.
Jason Collett timed his run perfectly on the three-year-old as the pair charged down Zakeriz ($11-$7.50) which had been tried at each way odds. Bajan Gold, which was running on strongly late, gave his backers plenty to cheer about when filling a hole after going $31-$15.
Vibrant Knight ($7) went around as the most popular runner in front of Group Think ($7.50-$6.50) while Morpheus ($5.50) had plenty of admirers.
BETS: Vibrant Knight $1,000 @ $7, $2,500 @ $6, $1,000 @ $6
BETS: Zakeriz $1,000 @ $8
BETS: Morpheus $1,500 x $6,000 e/w @ $5.50/$2.20, $1,000 @ $5.50 TWICE
RACE FOUR
Eduardo held a third of the money that the favourite did in the July Sprint (1100m).
That meant that Roheryn ($2.25-$2.40) jumped a clear favourite over Eduardo ($3-$3.90-$3.70) with the pair easily the two most popular in terms of money held.
Doing all the work on the speed, the gelding now with Joe Pride fought on strongly to beat Roheryn which flashed home late from last. Glenall ($6) filled the minor end of the prize and was best tried of the others. Star Boy ($11-$9-$10) attracted some interest.
BETS: Eduardo $1,000 @ $3.80 TWICE, $1,000 @ $3.70
BETS: Star Boy $1,000 @ $10
BETS: Roheryn $2,000 @ $2.40 TWICE, $1,000 @ $2.40, $1,500 @ $2.30, $4,000 @ $2.25, $2,000 @ $2.25, $2,000 @ $2.25
RACE FIVE
Punters knew what they were doing in the ASX Refinitiv Charity Foundation Handicap (2400m).
Korcho opened $5 on Wednesday and immediately came in for support. This morning, $4.20 was on the table and after bottoming out at $3.40, the Kris Lees import was the $3.70 favourite.
He held the most money here and represented 33 per cent of the market. Loveseat ($4.60) was very popular and was best tried of the others.
BETS: Korcho $1,000 @ $4.20, $1,000 @ $4, $1,000 @ $3.70 MULTIPLE TIMES, $1,000 @ $3.60 TWICE, $1,000 @ $3.50 TWICE
BETS: Loveseat $2,000 @ $4.60, $1,000 @ $4.60 TWICE
BETS: Birth of Venus $1,000 @ $9.50
BETS: Desert Path $1,000 @ $7
RACE SIX
Dancing Gidget stormed home to take out the TAB Handicap (1400m).
Running up to the support which came for her during the week, Dancing Gidget ($6 on Wednesday, $4.40-$5 today) came with a sweeping run for Hugh Bowman to land the prize.
The Chris Waller mare was the second best tried runner in the race but held a quarter of what race favourite Travest ($3.20-$2.90-$3.10) did.
Frosty Rocks ($6.50-$5.50-$6.50) had admirers once again while the placegetters Papal Warrior ($10-$9.50) and Academy ($10) were specked.
BETS: Dancing Gidget $1,000 e/w @ $5/$1.84, $1,000 @ $4.80
BETS: Frosty Rocks $1,500 @ $6, $6,000 @ $2.10 PLACE
BETS: Travest $1,800 @ $3.10, $2,600 @ $3, $2,150 @ $3, $1,500 @ $3, $1,000 @ $3, $1,000 @ $2.90, $1,000 @ $2.70
RACE SEVEN
Mugatoo was the subject of a late rally in the Iron Jack Winter Challenge (1500m).
The Kris Lees runner had been a drifter for the most part but after getting to $5, weight of money saw it start an equal $4.60 favourite with Order Again.
TAB had initially gone up $3.80 for Mugatoo when markets opened on Wednesday.
Order Again was the best tried after going $6.50 (on Wednesday) into $5 today, before further moves throughout the afternoon saw it share top spot with Mugatoo.
Noble Boy ($5.50) was the third most popular runner while there were moves at odds for Sambro ($16-$11), Special Missile ($12-$8) and Dealmaker ($8-$7.50).
BETS: Mugatoo $1,700 @ $4.60, $1,000 @ $4.60, $1,000 @ $4.40
BETS: Noble Boy $5,000 @ $5
BETS: Order Again $1,000 @ $4.80
RACE EIGHT
Poetic Charmer drifted in betting but still attracted some handy investments.
The Team Snowden runner went $7-$9 on the day but was the fourth most popular horse in the race.
Prime Candidate ($3.70-$3.50 fav) had been a decent push all day and was nearly four times as popular as anything else.
Outback Diva ($4.40) and True Detective ($5.50) were best tried outside the fav.
BETS: Prime Candidate $1,000 @ $3.70, $3,000 @ $3.60, $1,000 @ $3.60, $1,000 @ $3.50
RACE NINE
Varda delivered a good result for favourite backers in the final event on the card – the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1100m).
Commanding just over half the investment on the race, Varda ($2.25-$2.70) did get the blows late thanks to the support for Partners ($9-$6).
The pair finished one-two but it was the win of Varda that landed a number of big bets and multis.
BETS: Varda $4,500 @ $2.60, $1,700 @ $2.50, $1,000 @ $2.50, $4,000 @ $2.40