Hugh Bowman knows how to make an impact.
At his first ride on Press Statement he won the Stan Fox Stakes, securing himself the prized mount on the colt in Saturday’s $1 million Caulfield Guineas.
The only time he linked with Pasadena Girl he claimed the Group One Champagne Stakes, an effort good enough to clinch him a reunion with the filly in the Thousand Guineas.
Press Statement
Both horses head into their respective Caulfield Group One assignments as favourites with Press Statement a clear-cut top pick to defy a wide barrier draw and continue the good recent record of Sydney-trained horses in the Caulfield Guineas.
Typical of Bowman’s no-fuss approach, the jockey is unperturbed by the gate.
“I’m not too concerned about that. His pattern suggests he will settle midfield and they need luck in the run, whether they draw in or out,” Bowman said.
Press Statement brings similar form lines to last year’s Guineas winner Shooting To Win with both horses beaten in the Golden Rose before bouncing back to claim the Stan Fox.
Pasadena Girl heads to the Thousand Guineas off the back of a first-up Listed placing over 1200m at Moonee Valley and last-start fifth in a leader-dominated Prelude.
Bowman said the distance rise to 1600 metres was significant.
“She’s already won at Group One level and it’s 1600 metres, which is the distance she won over at that level,” Bowman said.
“The trip will be much more to her liking than her two runs so far.
“She’s trained at the track and I think (trainer) Peter Moody has won everything Caulfield has to offer.”
Bowman will begin a careless riding suspension after Saturday’s meeting, ruling him out of Caulfield Cup day and the Manikato Stakes meeting.
He returns on Cox Plate day.
