Rustic Melody provided music to Hugh Bowman’s ears at Rosehill as the mare won for the first time in over a year to give the Sydney premiership chasing jockey an early double.
The five-year-old, who duelled with Winx earlier in her career, broke an 11-race winless sequence over 1900 metres on Saturday’s soft track.
With the assistance of an ideal gate in the race for fillies and mares, Bowman guided Rustic Melody from barrier one, settled in a handy spot and then urged the Rustic Melody home to her fifth career win.
“It was a really nice, even pace and it was run to suit me.” Bowman said.
“I had every favour from barrier one.
“She’s been a consistent horse. She’s obviously at the twilight of her career so it’s nice for her to get a win late in the piece.”
Rustic Melody ($19) beat the Chris Waller-trained favourite Walk The Streets ($3.70) by half a neck. Outsider Celestial Choice ($61) was half a head back in third for Robert and Luke Price.
Newcastle trainer Kris Lees was rapt Rustic Melody won for the first time since since a benchmark at Randwick last June.
“I train her a little bit different,” he said.
“She shows a few little signs of wear and tear so she does all her work in the water and on the sand track.
“She mixes her form up a little but she got a perfect set-up and a perfect ride from Hugh.
“She’s certainly effective on the right day.”
Bowman, who also won on Hualalai, boosted his Sydney premiership win tally to 69, to sit 6-1/2 wins behind Brenton Avdulla.
The pair had five rides remaining respectively after the third race.
