Star Australian jockey Hugh Bowman to make presence felt at Flemington on Derby Day

Hong Kong-based star Australian jockey Hugh Bowman will chase a fourth Victoria Derby success on Saturday at Flemington.

Hong Kong-based star Australian jockey Hugh Bowman will chase a fourth Victoria Derby success on Saturday at Flemington.

Bowman, a winner of 106 Group 1s including four straight Cox Plates on legendary Winx, is excited for the Flemington cameo.

Trainers Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young secured Bowman to ride Keeneland, a $9 chance with Ladbrokes for the Victoria Derby.

Bowman has rides in other black type races, including Kimochi (Group 1 Empire Rose Stakes), Infancy (Begonia Belle Stakes), More Territories (The Vanity) and It’sourtime (Rising Fast Stakes).

“Delighted to come back, riding for some good friends and good clients,” Bowman said.

“All my rides are for people I’ve had great associations with over the years, it’s a great day’s racing I’m looking forward to being part of it.

“I’m pleased with all of them (rides), they’ll all make their presence felt, they’re all in the right races.”

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Bowman last rode at Flemington in the 2022 Melbourne Cup Carnival, where he won the Listed Desirable Stakes, before confirmation of the move to Hong Kong.

Bowman is likely to ride only at Flemington on Saturday, with commitments in Hong Kong on Sunday.

“Everything is on the radar if opportunities come, but I can’t come every week,” Bowman said

“I need to be here (Hong Kong) but if the opportunity presents to ride the right horse in the right race, which it has, then happy to get on a plane and come home.”

Bowman’s second of three Victoria Derby wins was aboard the Busuttin-trained Sangster in 2011.

Keeneland races in the same colours as Sangster and both placed in the Group 3 Norman Robinson the start before the Victoria Derby.

Tight finish in the Caulfield Classic! 😱

It's Kingofwallstreet on the outside who gets it! @CumaniRacingpic.twitter.com/q2QMwdqwb2

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) October 19, 2024

“The circumstances are a bit similar to him actually and hopefully the result is the same,” Bowman said.

Bowman’s other Victoria Derby wins were on Lion Tamer (2010) and Polanski (2013).

Hong Kong has been “a great career move” for Bowman both personally, with a young family, and professionally.

“It was at a great time in my career to come here, I’m so grateful for the opportunity that was provided to me,” Bowman said.

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“I’ve had a great flow of consistent support from all the trainers here … it’s reinvigorated my motivation more than anything and with the motivation comes results.”

The routine, racing Wednesdays and Sundays primarily, has allowed Bowman to enjoy Australian racing again.

“I can boot around with the kids (in the morning) and set up on the couch at midday (3pm AEST),” Bowman said.

“I miss the first four or five races, but with Sydney and Melbourne it’s two or three hours of really high class racing, it’s great, I love it.

“I’m more interested in it now, than when I was back then riding, it was just all business, but now I can relax and genuinely (enjoy it).”

Originally published as Star Australian jockey Hugh Bowman to make presence felt at Flemington on Derby Day