It speaks volumes about Hugh Bowman’s opinion of Do You Think that the top jockey has opted to reunite with the colt in the Listed Brian Crowley Stakes at Randwick.
Bowman will be one of the few big-name hoops staying in Sydney on Saturday and is banking on Do You Think producing his best in the 1200m event against fellow stakeswinners Hot Snitzel and Uate.
“I could have ridden any one of six in the race and I was pretty keen to stick with him,” Bowman said.
“I know what he’s capable of and hopefully he can get back to it.”
Trained by Bart Cummings, Do You Think scored a stunning debut win under lights at Canterbury in March, defeating Manawanui, before claiming the Group Three Schweppes (1400m) at Rosehill at his next start.
Bowman was on board for both wins as well as his eighth in the Group One Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m).
He hasn’t ridden Do You Think since but was taken by his last-start third to Foxwedge in the Group Two Roman Consul Stakes (1200m).
Do You Think had started twice in Melbourne earlier this spring and failed to produce his best form, prompting Cummings to send him back to Sydney and drop him in distance after disappointing over 1500m at Moonee Valley.
“I won on him in his first two starts and he gave me an ultra-impressive feel,” Bowman said.
“He went to Melbourne and didn’t bring back his autumn form and I think they have made a good decision bringing him back to Sydney and back in distance, and I was really pleased with his run in the Roman Consul last start.
“I haven’t been on his back but I know what he’s capable of and I’m banking on the maestro getting the best out of him.”
Bowman won the Group Two Sires’ Produce Stakes in Brisbane on the Gerald Ryan-trained Hot Snitzel, who is the $3 favourite for the Brian Crowley, and the in-form jockey believes the Listed event has great depth in the nine-horse field.
“I think you could see at least half the field go down to Melbourne and be competitive through the Flemington week,” he said.
Bowman missed last week’s Caulfield Guineas meeting through suspension and elected to take a strong book of rides in Sydney rather than head to Melbourne for Caulfield Cup day without a headline ride.
“There were offers (in Melbourne) but no standouts,” he said.
“I’m coming off the back of a suspension, I’ve got an important Cox Plate ride next week (on Lion Tamer) and I thought I’d rather be up here and have a good book of seven or eight rides and get back in the system.”
AAP TURF
