A first-up clash between barn mates Pierro and Proisir in Saturday’s Hobartville Stakes has proven to be a boon for jockey Hugh Bowman.
Nash Rawiller was aboard the Gai Waterhouse-trained Proisir in four of his five starts last campaign, missing only the Cox Plate in which the colt finished eighth.
Proisir - Photo by Steve Hart
But with Rawiller committed to star three-year-old Pierro in the Hobartville, Bowman has the opportunity to link with Proisir for the first time.
Sydney’s premier jockey will partner the promising three-year-old in Saturday’s Group Two Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill, and at his next run in the Group One Randwick Guineas (1600m).
“As long as he clashes with Pierro I’ll certainly be on him,” Bowman said.
Pierro commands top billing in what is shaping as a cracking edition of the Hobartville.
Also resuming in the feature is It’s A Dundeel, who defeated Proisir in the Spring Champion Stakes in October, while the unbeaten Rebel Dane, Victorian Mulaazem and former Kiwi Sacred Falls add further depth.
Pierro confirmed his standing among the top echelon of three-year-olds with his fine third in the Cox Plate last spring and is an odds-on favourite to win on Saturday.
Bowman says last year’s Golden Slipper winner has earned his stipes but warns Proisir is still an unknown quantity.
“Pierro is on a pedestal on his own and rightly so,” Bowman said.
“He was the dominant two-year-old and he came back and was excellent at three in the spring.
“But this horse is probably a little more untapped than Pierro. He’s certainly got the breeding and the constitution to be a topline thoroughbred.”
A son of world-conquering sprinter Choisir, Proisir went from winning a Hawkesbury maiden to running in the Cox Plate at his inaugural preparation.
While Saturday will be Bowman’s first race ride on Proisir, he has been aboard him in trackwork and a recent barrier trial.
“He gives me a good feel. I think he’ll take a lot of benefit out of his first-up run,” Bowman said.
“It’s a terribly strong race but he’s up with the best of them and it’s the right race to kick off in.”
The Hobartville field has already been reduced to 11 runners with trainer Paul Messara confirming dual acceptor Vadashan would bypass the feature to run in a benchmark race over 1500m at Rosehill.
