Darryl Sherer
Hugh Bowman will continue his association with the champion mare Winx when she opens her autumn campaign.
The leading Sydney jockey is currently suspended and would have missed the ride if she resumed in the Gr.2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick later this month, but trainer Chris Waller has elected to wait for the Gr.1 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) on March 3.
“She races well fresh and we are well ahead of schedule with her, so I will simply give her a third trial to ensure her fitness levels are high enough to compete at her best in this race,” he said.
“Hugh Bowman is a very important part of Winx and we feel that we can go straight into the Chipping Norton first-up without the need to resume in the Apollo Stakes as we had originally planned.
“Should Hugh have been suspended in the middle or late in the preparation closer to her significant targets, we would have opted to use a suitable replacement rider for Winx. However, we are in the fortunate position that we can alter her starting point without affecting her main targets this preparation.”