He will forever be remembered for his association with champion mare Winx, but jockey Hugh Bowman will aim to add even more feathers to his cap when he heads to Hong Kong for a riding sting this Sunday.
Coming off a successful couple of weeks where he won the Group 1 Spring Champion Stakes on Kiwi Sharp ‘N’ Smart, the Group 2 Callender-Presnell on Golden Mile and last week’s Golden Gift on Barber, Bowman will hit the ground running in top form.
With local gun Joao Moreira currently on the sidelines with a hip injury, Bowman sees it as a good chance to obtain some quality rides and revisit the region where he won the International Jockey Challenge a few years ago.
“I was actually approached by Mr (Terry) Bailey from the Hong Kong Jockey Club who is a licensing steward there and he canvassed to me whether I’d be interested in taking up a short term license over there,” Bowman told Sky Racing.
“I had a chat to (wife) Christine and discussed it with her. Our girls are at an age where we can pick them up out of school and take them over there, relocate without being too disruptive.
“So we gave it a bit of careful consideration and thought the opportunity is one we’d like to take the jockey club up on. We’ve been there before and we’re looking forward to going back.”
Given another Australian Zac Purton has been so dominant over the past few years, Bowman is keen to share in some of his spoils.
“I do feel given the current circumstances there are opportunities for jockeys to make a go of it,” Bowman said.
“Zac and Joao have had a close knit mortgage on the top rides over there and with Joao running into his situation and being unavailable I do feel there’s an opportunity there.
“I’m not saying it’s the only reason I’m going, but it’s certainly made it attractive for us.
“I will go and ride at Newcastle in The Hunter this Saturday just to keep ticking over, before we fly out on Sunday and take my first rides next Wednesday night at Happy Valley.”
When asked if he had any particular race he’d like to win while there, Bowman was his usual competitive self.
“There’s a few. Every race I’m in,” Bowman quipped.
“I’m actually yet to win a feature race at the Hong Kong international race meeting.
“If we could feature in the winners in one of the four majors over there in December it would certainly give us a good springboard into the months ahead.”
With fellow Australian hoop and Melbourne Cup winner Jye Mcneil also heading to Hong Kong, Bowman is looking forward to the competition.
“Jye, it’s a great time for him to be going. He too has a young family and for him he’s achieved at the highest level here in Australia,” Bowman said.
“I think it’s a really good opportunity for him and he’s someone who I’ve watched mature as a rider in Melbourne.
“I haven’t really ridden much against him, but I’m looking forward to doing so in Hong Kong. For me, it’s about doing the best I can do.”
