Injured jockey Hugh Bowman has to be cleared by a neurosurgeon before being passed fit to ride champion mare Winx in the Group 1 $1m George Ryder Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper Stakes Day on Saturday week.
Hugh Bowman, above, has to be cleared by a neurosurgeon before being given the green light to ride again. Photo by Daniel Costello.
Bowman was thrown heavily from two year old Performer at the 150m in the Group 2 $300,000 UNSW Todman Stakes (1200m) at Randwick last Saturday and while he escaped serious injury, was diagnosed with concussion.
Bowman visited neurosurgeon Dr Mark Winder this morning but failed to get a clearance to ride at the Coolmore Classic Race Day at Rosehill on Saturday and will have another assessment next week.
Racing New South Wales also released a statement that said the high profile jockey will also be required to undergo an after injury cognitive test before being allowed back into the saddle.
“Please be advised that following a consultation with neurosurgeon Dr Mark Winder this morning, jockey Hugh Bowman has not been cleared to ride this weekend. A follow-up appointment has been scheduled with Dr Winder next week. Hugh Bowman is also required to complete his after-injury cognitive test before riding again,” Racing New South Wales said on their website.
Winx has had one run back from a spell for an effortless first up win in the Group 1 $600,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on March 3 and will be chasing her twenty-fourth straight victory when she lines up in the George Ryder Stakes.
Trainer Chris Waller has given a glowing report about Winx’s condition following her first up win in the Chipping Norton Stakes and said she will chase her third successive win in the George Ryder Stakes before heading onto the Group 1 $4m Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 14, day two of The Championships.
“She has come through the race with flying colours. From Saturday (March 10), will step up the work load again,” Waller said after her Chipping Norton Stakes win.
“Three weeks until her next run in the George Ryder that she won impressively last year. It is a race that suits her.”
“She has come back in great shape and looks to be in for a very good preparation.”
“I would say she is going to run in the Queen Elizabeth three weeks after the George Ryder.”
Early betting for the George Ryder Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au has Winx as the $1.10 favourite ahead of the Randwick Guineas winner Kementari at $8 and Newmarket Handicap runner up Brave Smash and Canterbury Stakes winner Happy Clapper at $15.
Early betting for the 2018 George Ryder Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $1.10 Winx, $8 Kementari, $15 Brave Smash, Happy Clapper, $34 Tom Melbourne, Trapeze Artist, $51 Clearly Innocent, Comin’ Through, Crack Me Up, D’Argento, Foxplay, Global Glamour, Invincible Gem, Showtime, $101 Mackintosh, McCreery, Sound Proposition.
