Ahead Start wins bittersweet Highway Handicap at Randwick

One of Sydney’s top jockeys has been lucky to escape serious injury after a fall in the home straight at Randwick.

Hugh Bowman has suffered a heavy fall which has marred the opening race on All Aged Stakes day at Randwick.

Bowman was attempting to steer Rothenburg into clear running when the horse clipped heels near the 200 metres and crashed to the turf.

The top jockey wasn’t seriously injured but was winded in the incident and examined by the club doctor before being passed fit to fulfill his remaining rides.

Rothenburg was not as fortunate, suffering a fatal leg injury and he was humanely euthanased.

The Vale Neville Layt Highway (1200m) was won by the Danny Williams -trained Ahead Start but Williams said the victory was bittersweet.

“We go through a lot with our horses and it’s never good to see that sort of thing,” Williams said.

Ahead Start has now won three of his four starts and Williams is hoping he can develop into a contender for the Kosciuszko in the spring.

“We have a long-term plan. I said to some of the owners at the end of last preparation that I may get him ready for the Kosciuszko ,” Williams said.

“I made a plan to run him in the Highway and perhaps give him one or two starts and put him out.”

Williams was also humbled to win the race named in honour of trainer Neville Layt, who lost his battle with cancer earlier this week.

“I was only talking to him a couple of weeks ago,” Williams said.

“My heart goes out to the Layt family.”