High profile jockey Hugh Bowman will find himself in a more relaxed mode than usual when he steps out on board Clearly Innocent in the $10m The Everest (1200m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Hugh Bowman will ride Clearly Innocent, above, in The Everest at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Hugh Bowman will ride Clearly Innocent, above, in The Everest at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.

Bowman is used to being in the public eye on short priced favourites highlighted by the euphoria of the Winx phenomenon but in The Everest he said he will be pretty relaxed on Clearly Innocent who is marked at the double figure odds of $14 at Ladbrokes.com.au.

“It’s nice to be on a headline horse, I’ve become accustomed to that, but it is a little more relaxing I must admit,’’ Bowman told Racing New South Wales News Desk.

“I’m going into the race on a genuine 10/1 shot but I’m looking forward to the challenge. He’s not really a headline horse but he impressed me so much in Brisbane.

“Can he win the Everest? I wouldn’t say I’m expecting him to win but it wouldn’t surprise me in the slightest if he does.’’

Bowman and Clearly Innocent have teamed up in the past for two wins, one at Group 1 level in the $700,000 Darley Kingsford-Smith Cup (1300m) at Eagle Farm during the 2017 Brisbane Winter Carnival.

Sydney’s leading jockey and the Kris Lees trained six year old also got together for a first up third behind In Her Time and English in the Group 2 $500,000 Santos Coffee Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 30.

Bowman has a lot of positives about the attributes that Clearly Innocent will carry into The Everest and believes that he is worthy of his place in the star studded field of quality sprinters.

“It’s not so much about what he’s beaten or what he’s done he just gives me a great feel. He’s very athletic, he has a beautiful stride and covers a lot of ground,’’ Bowman said.

“He has a good engine, he can really gallop and although his best performance was on a questionable track I can’t ignore what I felt.

“I think he is a genuine Group 1 horse and that’s what it is going to take to win the race.

“I truly believe his best trip might be a little further than the 1200m but when it comes down to it, it might be a test of stamina. So that influenced me towards this horse.’’

The Gary Portelli trained She Will Reign has been joined at the top of the market order for The Everest by the first of Lindsay Park’s three runners, Vega Magic, at $5 each ahead of the Team Hawkes trained Chautauqua at $6 and Peter and Paul Snowden’s flyer Redzel at $7.50.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.