It will be uncharted territory for horse and trainer when Begood Toya Mother and Daniel Bowman travel to Randwick hoping to pillage the Group One Canterbury Stakes.
Begood Toya Mother will make his Sydney debut in Saturday’s 1300-metre race, which will also be the first time the Victorian-based Bowman has saddled up a Sydney runner.
“It’s exciting and a little bit nervy,” Bowman told AAP.
“Travelling a horse away the first time, I did it when I worked for other stables but doing it in your own name with your own horse is a little bit different.”
The young trainer has done plenty of groundwork for the stable’s first Sydney raid having selected the Canterbury Stakes as a target some time ago.
He said the Newmarket Handicap (1200m) at Flemington on the same day was never an option as he looked to extend his horse slightly in distance and seek out rain-affected ground.
“I had this race picked out. He’s sort of not sharp enough for 1200, 13 or 14 is his go,” Bowman said.
“The tracks have been a bit firm down here and there are no more suitable races.
“This race in the past has always got a small field, even though it’s a strong field, but I thought it might be the right option.
“He does his slow work every day that (Sydney) direction so that’s not a concern. He has done a couple of gallops that way as well and galloped super.”
Begood Toya Mother has won eight of his 15 starts and put a Group One in the bag when he captured the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes at Caulfield in September.
He has finished midfield at his two campaign runs in the Australia Stakes when Bowman said he did not handle Moonee Valley and the C F Orr Stakes when he jarred up on firm ground.
Begood Toya Mother will face his first test at weight-for-age on Saturday and while it will be no easy assignment, the trainer is happy he has found the right race.
“You’ve got Alizee and Savatiano who are both really good mares, Standout was very impressive last start and of course you can’t rule out The Bostonian, he’s a two-time Group One winner,” Bowman said.
“It’s a good field but look, wet track, small field, good barrier, we’re pretty happy with how it’s looking.”
Regular rider Declan Bates sticks with Begood Toya Mother who is being considered for the All Aged Stakes if he measures up on Saturday.
