Top jockey Hugh Bowman had a busy Tuesday morning but is confident the reward will come when he rides the favourites in two Group Ones on Saturday.
Bowman made his way out to Warwick Farm early on Tuesday to partner Flight Stakes-bound Streama in a course proper hit-out before driving back to Randwick to work Spring Champion Stakes favourite Strike The Stars.
“Streama’s work was excellent,” Bowman said.
“She worked on the course proper with Willy Jimmy and she’s going along beautifully.”
Bowman has been aboard in all seven of Streama’s starts, combining with her for victories in the Group Two Furious Stakes and Group Two Tea Rose Stakes at her past two outings.
Her grand final is the Flight Stakes over 1600m at Randwick on Saturday.
“It’s nice when I can ride them in work the week of a race and get to feel how they’ve progressed but it’s not always possible,” the 2008/09 Sydney premiership-winning hoop said.
“It’s good to get on them, whether it’s their main gallop or another day during the week.
“I hadn’t ridden Streama in a Tuesday gallop since before her first-up run in the Silver Shadow but I have ridden her in one piece of work before every start.”
Bowman earned high praise from trainer Guy Walter for his rides on the filly in the Furious and Tea Rose, with the jockey using his initiative and Streama’s adaptability to dictate terms in front in slowly-run races.
“I wouldn’t say I’m more confident after riding her this morning because you can only be so confident, but I’m confident she can win the race,” Bowman said.
“I’m very respectful of the other horses but I certainly wouldn’t swap her for anything else.”
Strike The Stars shed his maiden tag in style with victory in the Group Three Gloaming Stakes (1800m) at Rosehill last start.
He is the $3.20 favourite for the Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) ahead of Rekindled Alliance, Darci Be Good and Ambidexter, with those three all coming out of the Spring Stakes (1600m) at Newcastle.
“He (Strike The Stars) is another one going along really well,” Bowman said.
“He has really progressed and is a worthy favourite for the race on Saturday.”
The Gloaming was Bowman’s first ride on Strike The Stars in a race but he has been partnering him in most gallops since the three-year-old finished third in the Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at weight-for-age on September 3.
Strike The Stars pleased both Bowman and trainer Anthony Cummings working over 1600m on the dirt on Tuesday.
“I think they (Streama and Strike The Stars) are two really good chances at winning on Saturday,” Bowman said.
AAP TURF
