Hugh Bowman gives up Australian Cup ride, leaves racecourse
Champion jockey Hugh Bowman gave up his ride on hot favourite Avilius in the group 1 Australian Cup to rush back to Sydney to attend to a family matter, leaving the Godolphin runner to be ridden by late substitute Corey Brown.
The racecourse was awash with rumours as to why Bowman – a hero Australia-wide because of his partnership with the legendary galloper Winx – sensationally left the track after being beaten into second place on Newmarket Handicap favourite Osborne Bulls behind the three-year-old filly Sunlight earlier in the day.
But the jockey later sought to allay concerns as to his departure, putting out a tweet that said: ‘‘Thank you for everyone’s well wishes this afternoon. There are no tragic circumstances & is a family matter. Everyone’s thoughts & understanding is appreciated.’’
Avilius, who started as an odds-on favourite at $1.65, ran disappointingly behind the shock winner Harlem, looming in the straight but not producing a finishing effort before winding up fifth.
Earlier in the day Bowman had worn the look of a man who was at ease with the world after he galloped Alizee, the James Cummings-prepared mare who is favourite for the $5million All-Star Mile, in a piece of work between races.
‘‘It was a really nice piece of work, she was a little wound up when I got on her, but not as much as she was at Caulfield [when the combination won the group 1 Futurity Stakes] but we would like to see a little more improvement in that department next Saturday.
‘‘She did everything she was meant to do. A good draw would assist us next week.
‘‘She feels amazing. She’s got an amazing stride, is very clean-winded, and boy, as busy as she is in the prelim, once I get on the track she really relaxes.’’
Although Alizee has never raced at Flemington, Bowman says that won’t be a problem. ‘‘She’s a genuine group 1 horse.
‘‘I don’t think she needs to take the next step, she’s just got to sustain where she’s at.
‘‘It was just a day out, she wasn’t out to break any records or do any amazing things like she did at Caulfield.’’
As a result of his disappointing performance in the Australian Cup, Avilius has been a drifter in the market for the Queen Elizabeth Stakes, the TAB having pushed him out to $26 from a quote of $15.
But the run of Shillelagh, the narrowly beaten runner-up behind Harlem, impressed the odds makers and her price for the Doncaster has been tightened in from $51 to $26.
Several of the prominent runners in the Newmarket were shortened for the group 1 TJ Smith stakes, the premier sprint in the Sydney autumn carnival.
The winner Sunlight is now into $11, the runner-up Osborne Bulls is $8 while the third placegetter, Brave Smash, is in to $15.
Godolphin has had a hugely successful run with its two-year-olds this season – Lyre won the Blue Diamond and the stable has a strong hand in the Golden Slipper – and the Blue Army continued its march through the juvenile ranks when La Tene, partnered by Dwayne Dunn, scored in the group 2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes , beating the fast-finishing favourite Dalasan by a neck.