Hugh Bowman is buoyant about his chances of a third Victoria Derby win in four years when he rides bargain buy Polanski on Saturday.
The Robbie Laing-trained colt was a $4000 yearling and has now banked more than $250,000 prize money with three wins from eight starts including the Group Three Norman Robinson Stakes.
Bowman was confident Lion Tamer would win three years ago and he duly scored by 6-1/2 lengths in pouring rain. The jockey wasn’t so sure about 2011 winner Sangster who he had partnered in a less than impressive lead-up gallop.
“I’m probably not as confident as I was on Lion Tamer, but more confident than I was on Sangster,” Bowman said.
“I think Polanski has a really good hope of winning,” Bowman said.
The $1.5 million Victoria Derby (2500m) is the feature on the opening day of the Melbourne Cup carnival at Flemington.
Bowman rode Polanski for the first time in his Norman Robinson win over San Diego which convinced the top Sydney jockey the colt was on target for the Derby.
“He gave me a really good feel and he just seems to be hitting form at the right time,” Bowman said.
“He’s a nice big strong staying type and I just think there’s plenty of upside to him.
“Put it this way, I wouldn’t hop off him to ride anything else.”
Polanski is fourth favourite with the TAB and is the highest Melbourne-based horse in the market.
Sydney three-year-olds Complacent, Savvy Nature and Criterion occupy the top lines of betting.
Complacent has won the Gloaming and Spring Champion Stakes at his past two starts and his trainer Peter Snowden decided to bypass the Vase at Moonee Valley.
In his absence on Saturday, Savvy Nature was a dominant winner and joined Complacent as favourite having been placed behind that colt at his previous two starts.
Bowman felt there was still improvement in Polanski out of the Norman Robinson and isn’t running scared of the Sydney horses.
“That (Sydney) form appears to be stronger than the Melbourne form, but I’m not sure it’s that much better, to be honest,” he said.
Bowman’s other Derby Day rides include Pakal in the Group One Mackinnon Stakes and Villa Verde in the Group One Coolmore Stud Stakes.
