In-form jockey Hugh Bowman’s decision to take the ride on a lightly-raced galloper making his city debut has provided an important early lead for Saturday’s Canterbury meeting.
Bowman has been booked to ride the Gosford-trained Frozen Rope, the winner of three races from six starts.
“Once Hugh found out he wasn’t needed for one of Chris Waller’s he was quick to take the ride,” trainer Adam Duggan said.
“In fact, his manager got back to me on Saturday which is a good sign two days before the nominations came out.”
Bowman will return to riding duties on Saturday after playing in a celebrity golf tournament during the week.
He went out for his mini-break on the back of seven city winners in 24 hours, including his Villiers Stakes success on Monton for his former boss Ron Quinton.
Duggan, whose small team also includes talented filly Fox, has earmarked Frozen Rope as a future stayer.
“Looking at him you would think he’s a raw-boned New Zealand horse over here getting ready for something,” he said.
Frozen Rope is raced on lease by a syndicate which includes several professional golfers.
Adept on wet tracks, Frozen Rope carried 58kg to a first-up win over 1300m at Taree on December 5.
“If he can stay a journey and do the things that he is doing now, then I think there’s a genuine future for him,” Duggan said.
Duggan said the conditions of Saturday’s race were attractive for a horse on the way through the grades.
“The rating is more like you would see at a midweek meeting but with Saturday prizemoney,” he said.
“I probably wouldn’t normally bring a horse like him to town so soon because I pride myself on placing my horses in the right races.
“But Saturday’s race is too good an opportunity to pass up.”
AAP TURF
