Bowman Chases Major Win Next Season

He has won almost thirty Group 1 races but leading jockey Hugh Bowman is desperate to win a ‘major’ during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.

Hugh Bowman is desperate to win the Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate or Caulfield Cup during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Bowman is one of Australia’s most acclaimed jockeys, having scored twenty-two Group 1 victories in Sydney and won the Crown Oaks (2500m), Victoria Derby (2500m) and Emirates Stakes (1600m) in Melbourne, and has his sights firmly set on winning either the Caulfield Cup (2400m), Cox Plate (2040m), Melbourne Cup (3200m) or Golden Slipper (1200m) during the upcoming racing season.

The Sydney-based jockey told Racing Ahead on RSN that he will stay at home until the Sydney Spring Racing Carnival concludes but will do anything he can to improve his chances of winning a major race in Melbourne.

“Sydney being home I will certainly be aiming to stay here for as long as I can, at least until the Sydney Carnival winds up,” Bowman said.

“Obviously as opportunities get better in Melbourne, I’m very mindful of that.

“Having not won a major that really is my goal next season.

“I’ll be doing what I can to give myself the opportunity to win one of those big races.”

Although he may already have his sights set on next season, Bowman still has the remainder of the 2012/2013 racing season to worry about as he holds only a one and a half race lead over Nash Rawiller in the race for the Sydney jockeys’ premiership.

Bowman looked as though he had the title wrapped up, when he left for a holiday in Ireland a month ago, but the red-hot form of Rawiller has reignited the contest and added a great deal of interest to winter racing in Sydney.

Bowman will miss this Saturday’s racing due to suspension and admits that Rawiller now appears to have the upper hand in their battle.

“Nash has really hit a purple patch of form, he is riding really well and he certainly has all the momentum,” Rawiller said.

“Having already won a couple it would be nice to win another, it’s not the be all and end all to me, but it just confirms that you are the champion rider in your precinct.”

About The Author

Thomas Hackett

Thomas is a passionate and opinionated racing journalist and punter who has been obsessed with horse racing since he backed Saintly to win the 1996 Melbourne Cup. An international racing enthusiast, he has his finger on the pulse of racing news not just from Australia but all around the world.