Hugh Bowman has salvaged his spring carnival with a Group One victory aboard Set Square in the VRC Oaks at Flemington.
But a few things had to fall into place for it to happen.
The leading Sydney jockey missed several major meetings with a suspension for improper riding aboard the Ciaron Maher-trained Light Up Manhattan in the Caulfield Classic.
Ironically it was Maher who called on Bowman to ride Set Square on Thursday after Nick Hall jumped off to partner the Oaks favourite Lumosty.
On the same day Bowman was outed, Set Square earned her way to the Oaks with her win in the Ethereal Stakes on October 18 which prompted her owners to pay the late entry fee.
“It’s something out of the wreck,” Bowman said.
While Bowman had to sit out plum rides including the Derby winner Preferment, Maher has had to wait seven years to claim a second Group One.
Tears I Cry won the Emirates Stakes at 100-1 during the 2007 spring but once Set Square was in the Oaks field, punters latched on and she went out the $7.50 third elect for the 2500-metre staying test.
That did not surprise her trainer.
“She has just thrived this preparation and has just kept getting better and better,” Maher said.
“There was no question about whether she would stay the distance.
“I train a lot of stayers and jumpers and she always had a good constitution and a real staying type of action.
“There was never a question about the trip. It was more whether she had the experience to win a race like this.”
Set Square went into the Classic at her fourth start and was ridden patiently for the first half of the race with Fontein Ruby ($11) in her customary front position.
Bowman let Set Square loose in the straight and she surged clear with Saturday’s Wakeful Stakes winner Thunder Lady ($10) chasing hard but coming up 1-1/2 lengths short.
“I’ve had limited opportunities this week,” Bowman said.
“I thought she was a really good chance and she delivered.
“She was inclined to over-race in the early stages but I brought her back a pair and she settled nicely then.
“I was a bit worried around the 1000 (metres) as I felt the pace wasn’t strong enough for me, but the pressure started to build a long way out and it got me back into play.”
Golconda ($21) ran out the distance well to finish third but several others did not while Go Indy Go ($5) was found to be lame after the race.
As well as Lumosty, trainer Robert Smerdon was also represented by Crafty ($7) and Fontein Ruby and summed up his trio.
“Lumosty didn’t stay, Fontein Ruby doesn’t stay and needs to settle,” he said.
“Crafty can stay but she needs it wet.”
As he savoured the win, Maher admitted he was already looking ahead to the following spring and the big Cups.
“She is a really raw filly and has a lot of developing to do so she has a bright future,” he said.
Bowman agreed, thrilled to be back among the winners again.
“I think she’s got a lot of furnishing to do physically but she raced her way into contention,” he said.
“Racing’s a funny game and you’ve just got to put yourself in a position and it’s an honour to get the opportunities.”
