Queen Elizabeth II Cup 2016: Hugh Bowman partners Werther to rousing victory in Hong Kong

HUGH Bowman and expatriate trainer John Moore have combined for a runaway victory on former Kiwi Werther in the Queen Elizabeth II Cup at Sha Tin.

HONG KONG - APRIL 24: Hugh Bowman riding Werther during the Audemars Piguet QEII CUP in Hong Kong Racing at Sha Tin racecourse on April 24, 2016 in Hong Kong, Hong Kong. (Photo by Aitor Alcalde/Getty Images)

HUGH Bowman and expatriate trainer John Moore combined to eclipse the world’s best middle-distance gallopers with a runaway victory on former Kiwi Werther in the Audemar Piguet QEII Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin.

Jubilant Bowman predicted Werther — runner-up in both the Queensland and South Australian derbies — would reach even greater heights after demolishing an international star cast by four and half lengths.

He will be targeted for the Cox Plate during the spring carnival in a race that Bowman also demolished with champion mare Winx last year.

There was no romance for Australia or a lovely day for Japan on a track that was downgraded to soft after heavy rain during the day.

David Hayes’ mare, Rising Romance, ridden by Damian Lane, finished a distant 10th in the star-studded 13-horse field, with the Japanese favourite, Lovely Day, finishing fourth.

Bought by Hong Kong interests after finishing second to Magicool at Doomben in June, Werther was a horse that Moore admitted before the race that he never wanted, but was talked into taking it by his brother Gary and bloodstock agent David Chester.

He didn’t want the horse even though the four-year-old had finished second in the 2015 South Australian Derby, won the Eagle Farm Cup and then was second in the Queensland Derby.

“David Chester had gone after the horse and Gary (Moore) contacted me and said you have to take the horse,” Moore said.

“And I said that’s the skinny thing that ran second in the Queensland Derby because I watch the races on Sky.

Werther’s dominant winning margin is clearly visible. Picture: AFP

“I said you might be able to buy better and Gary said you have to take him.

Moore’s first “live” at the horse only confirmed what he’d seen on TV.

“He walked in the yard here and my fiancee and I had a look at him and said: “Oh Gez. OK, let’s put our spit and polish and that’s exactly what we did and we know look back and say how lucky we were to get him.

“But I believe I have taken Werther another level from when he was in Australia from Adelaide to Brisbane.”

“He is probably carrying 40 or 50 pounds (18 and 22kg) more than he was in Australia.”

Bowman said Werther would improve even more with maturity ahead of a probable Cox Plate invitation in the spring.

“He is improving all the time,” Bowman said.

Australian jockey Hugh Bowman celebrates after winning the QEII Cup. Picture: AP

“I just let him find his feet and get his rhythm. He was very impressive.”

Bowman has ridden Werther in all of four runs in Hong Kong, including to victory in last December’s Group 1 Hong Kong Derby.

“I have seen the improvement in him from then to now,” Bowman said

Australia dominated the 10 races with sevens wins, with doubles to Chad Schofield and Zac Purton and victories to Damian Lane, Bowman and Brett Prebble.

Schofield scored his biggest win since winning a contract to ride in Hong Kong.

Schofield, who is desperate to have his contract extended, rode Ambitious Champion to victory in the Group 3 The Queen Mother Memorial Cup (2400m).

Chad Schofield pilots Ambitius Champion (second left) to victory in the The Queen Mother Memorial Cup. Picture: Getty Images

The ride won high praise from Richard Gibson, who said Schofield scored the victory because of his expertise and confidence.

“He is going very well with his horse which has continued to improve throughout the season and it’s a huge win for the stable to win such a prestigious race.”

And Lane, who had a three-month stint in Hong Kong this time last year, completed an Australian running double with his victory on Energetic Class in the Millenary Handicap.

Schofield scored two races later on Friends of Nanjing in fighting victory over the Tommy Berry ridden People’s Knight.