Hugh Bowman under fire after shocking race fall at Rosehill Gardens
Group 1 winning-jockey Andrew Adkins suffered multiple injuries after a horror fall in the opening race at Rosehill Gardens, which could have a leading rider in hot water.
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Champion jockey Hugh Bowman came under stewards scrutiny for his winning ride on Smart Image in the juvenile opener that was more like a demolition derby at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
In a sensational race, a severe scrimmage at the top of the straight in the Sky Racing Active Handicap (1200m) left jockey Andrew Adkins and his mount, Hot ‘N’ Hazy, prone on the track while a number of other runners suffered severe interference.
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Adkins and Hot ‘N’ Hazy had no room to move when sandwiched between runners at the 300m and crashed to the turf.
Ambulance officers were quickly on the scene attending to Adkins as other jockeys including Adam Hyeronimus, Tommy Berry and Robbie Dolan sprinted onto the track to check on their friend.
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Adkins was conscious and talking as ambulance officers prepared to take him to nearby Westmead Hospital. X-rays showed he suffered a broken tibia and fibula in his left leg, a broken collarbone and seven broken ribs.
Veterinarians attending to Hot ‘N’ Hazy determined the two-year-old had suffered a broken shoulder and sadly could not be saved. Trainer Danny Williams was understandably devastated.
Racing NSW stewards launched an inquiry into the fall with several horses and their riders involved in the incident.
Bowman told stewards he was confident he wasn’t going to put any rider in danger as he made a move on Smart Image and added there were “contributing factors” that led to the incident in which a number of other runners suffered bad interference, including Oscar Zulu and Sunborn.
Andrew Adkins likely has a broken left leg and collarbone and maybe ribs which are sore. But he's been conscious the while time and there's no spinal issues. Unfortunately Hot 'N' Hazy was euthanized
— Matt Jones (@mattjonesy6) July 25, 2020
. @AndrewAdkins103 is awake and off to hospital for further assessment. I will update everyone as soon as I hear anything @ally_mosley pic.twitter.com/5q4vP6zmIt
— Luke McDonald (@LoMcdonald93) July 25, 2020
Andrew Adkins was dislodged in the home straight in race 1 at Rosehill.
— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) July 25, 2020
Andrew is conscious, talking and will be transported to Westmead Hospital for further observation
“I endeavored to make a run to the outside of Glyn Schofield (Mr Colourful), which I had every right to and, in doing so, I was going to have to move Andrew slightly but I felt that I was able to do so,” Bowman said.
“There was a shift by the horse in front of me (Mr Colourful) and I was committed to the move that I made. I felt at the time I made the call to go to the outside of Glyn I could do so without causing any interference to Andrew.”
Steward Wade Birch told Bowman and several other riders how he saw Bowman’s ride and the incident.
“I felt there was room to do so (make a move across heels) initially then a short distance later I felt Glyn Schofield’s mount did shift out and I felt Hugh Bowman became awkward on that horse’s heels and it took him wider on the track and as a result he did shift out quite abruptly onto Andrew Adkins on Hot ‘N’ Hazy,” Birch said.
“That horse was taken outwards and tightened for room between Hugh Bowman’s horse Smart Image and Sunborn. I thought at the same stage the horse then clipped the heels of Robbie Dolan (Duchess) who was racing forward of Andrew Adkins at that stage then fell.
“Sunborn went over Hot ‘N’ Hazy and Louise Day was unbalanced but was able to stay on then Sunborn was forced out onto Lady Banff who was severely checked then Lady Banff shifted out and severely checked Oscar Zulu who was the widest runner.”
Birch then asked Schofield about his horse’s antics in the straight.
“My horse has shifted,” Schofield said.
“When you say your horse has shifted when Bowman started to move to the outside of your heels could you estimate how far you’ve shifted,” Birch said.
“A horse,” Schofield replied.
The hearing was adjourned because stewards will need to interview Adkins in the coming days.
Oscar Zulu’s rider, Lee Magorrian, was lucky not to be catapulted out of the saddle and completed the race riding with his feet out of the irons. Apprentice Louise Day showed great skill just to stay in the saddle.
The horror fall caused a delay at Rosehill as the ambulance took Adkins to hospital.
Smart Image, heavily backed into $2.70 favouritism, was able to score by a long neck from Shaik ($9) with Bravado ($6) two lengths away third.
The stewards even had to determine a protest from Sam Clipperton, rider of fourth placegetter Centimental, against third over the line Bravado (Tommy Berry) which was subsequently dismissed.
Smart Image gave trainers Peter and Paul Snowden their 38th success in two-year-old races this season, the most juvenile wins by any stable in the nation. The Snowdens then prepared another two-year-old winner later in the day with War Memorial at Gosford.
But champion trainer Peter Snowden was more concerned about Adkins and the connections of the ill-fated Hot ‘N’ Hazy.
“Smart Image looked the winner a long way from home, he was travelling so well, probably too well,’’ Snowden said.
“Hughie didn’t know whether to go out or in. I wish to God he had gone in.
“All those falls Andrew has been involved in, he has not caused one of them. He’s not a reckless jockey, he has just been terribly unlucky.’’
Snowden said Smart Image has been a “slow learner” but has always been held in high regard by the stable.
“Smart Image is a progressive horse,’’ Snowden said. “He’s always had good ability but he was doing a lot of things wrong. “He obviously took a lot out of his Warwick Farm win because he was always travelling so well today.
“I will see how he pulls up then decide if we give him his chance in a race like the Up And Coming Stakes (August 15).’’
The Snowden stable’s juvenile team has achieved tremendous results this season including King’s Legacy’s dual Group 1 wins in the ATC Sires Produce Stakes and Champagne Stakes, and the Golden Gift with Dame Giselle.
“Our two-year-olds have done a great job and won our share of races,’’ Snowden said. “Hopefully they are not finished yet and train on for next season.’’
Snowden said outstanding colt King’s Legacy is back in full work and will barrier trial early next month.
“King’s Legacy is coming along great,’’ the champion trainer said. “He will trial on August 11 and again on the 25th and then be ready to go back to the races.’’
Originally published as Hugh Bowman under fire after shocking race fall at Rosehill Gardens