Hugh Bowman has emerged as the new favourite to win the Sydney jockeys’ premiership on the back of a four-win haul at Warwick Farm.
His dazzling effort in the saddle has taken him to a 1-1/2 win lead over James McDonald and Blake Shinn who are tied for second with two meetings of the season remaining.
Hugh Bowman
Bowman notched his four Warwick Farm wins on Wednesday for three different trainers including a double for the unstoppable Chris Waller.
The top hoop started the week a $3.50 chance to win the title but with a full book of eight rides at Canterbury on Saturday, Bowman is now the clear-cut $2.30 TAB favourite.
Three of his weekend rides are for Bjorn Baker, including flying grey Zaratone in The July Sprint.
Shinn, who has six mounts at Canterbury, is at $2.90 with McDonald considered a $3 chance to defend the jockeys’ title he won for the first time last year.
The Godolphin jockey has the lightest Canterbury book with five rides including Kencella for Joe Pride in the feature sprint race.
The Canterbury card is the penultimate metropolitan meeting of the season.
With two meetings left for the Melbourne title – Caulfield on Saturday and Ballarat on Sunday – only one win separates Damien Oliver and Craig Williams.
Following a treble at Bendigo on Wednesday Oliver heads the market at $1.80 with Williams, who rode a double, at $2.
Both have full books of rides at Caulfield on Saturday while acceptances for Ballarat are due on Thursday.
