Hugh Bowman will now be one of the Australian representatives in the Longines International Jockeys’s Championship (IJC) at Happy Valley on Wednesday night.
Bowman, who has over one hundred Group 1 wins to his credit and whose unique partnership with the mighty Winx will forever illuminate the records books, will replace Jye McNeil in the star-studded line-up for the event.
Bowman’s late call-up came after McNeil failed to obtain a clearance to ride by the Hong Kong Jockey Club’s Chief Medical Officer following his positive test result for Covid last week.
The official Hong Kong Jockey Club media release reads:
‘The Club’s Chief Medical Officer (CMO) has been monitoring Jockey Jye McNeil’s health status since testing COVID-19 positive on Tuesday (29 November), including ongoing testing throughout the week.
‘A decision on his participation in the LONGINES International Jockeys’ Championship (IJC) on Wednesday (7 December) has been deferred to the latest feasible timing within the parameters of the rider allocation system for the IJC.
‘Based on the results to date it has been assessed that Jockey McNeil cannot be declared tomorrow (Monday, 5 December). Jockey Hugh Bowman has been selected to instead participate in the IJC. ‘
Bowman is no stranger to Hong Kong racing, frequently visiting the location with great success since 2014. With a license granted from 13 November until 12 February he will be a jockey in demand by the trainers in Hong Kong, particularly with the unscheduled departure of champion Hong Kong jockey Joao Moreira … and he is sure to relish the challenge presented by the IJC.
Bowman has relocated to Hong Kong with his wife Christine and his two young daughters Bambi (9) and Paige (6) for the duration of his three-month riding contract.
The allocation of the horses to riders will occur at Sha Tin on Monday morning after trackwork.
The jockey’s presentation to the media that was to take place on Tuesday 6 December 2022 at the Hong Kong Palace Museum has been brought forward to Monday evening by the HKJC.
The government has declared all entertainment and celebration activities scheduled for December 6 be cancelled or postponed as the memorial service for former president of the People’s Republic of China, Jiang Zemin, will be held in Beijing on that day.
The HKJC has observed this direction.
