Bowman Heading To NZ Again

Thursday, 27 January 2011 03:45

Hugh Bowman has a busy weekend ahead with the leading jockey to ride in Sydney on Friday night and Saturday before making his third trans-Tasman trip this month for Sunday's Karaka Million meeting.

Bowman will partner the John Sargent-trained Savabill in the $NZ1 million Karaka Million (1200m) at Ellerslie and he'll also be aboard the Mark Wallace-trained Miss Confidential in the Karaka 3YO Mile (1600m).

Bowman rode in New Zealand on New Year's Day at the Railway Stakes meeting and again last Saturday for the running of the Telegraph Handicap.

He partnered Savabill to third in the Group Three Eclipse Stakes (1200m) on January 1, with the race won by Anabandana ahead of Savabill's stablemate Super Easy.

Super Easy, who beat Savabill home by 2-1/4 lengths, is again among his rivals on Sunday.

"It was a good run from him (Savabill) last start, he'll have to improve a couple of lengths but I think he has that improvement in him," Bowman said.

"And he'll be better again in another six months."

However, Savabill's chances were dealt a blow when he came up with the outside barrier in the field of 14 plus four emergencies.

The Sydney hoop rode a winner at the same meeting last year but is yet to claim a feature race win across the Tasman.

"I went over for the same three meetings last year, I'm yet to win one of the feature races there but if I keep going around I might get one," he said.

With Bowman headed over to ride in the Karaka Million, Sydney-based trainer Mark Wallace was able to secure the leading hoop's services for Miss Confidential.

Miss Confidential has won three of her four starts on the NSW provincial circuit including a last-start win in a Kembla Class Two on January 15.

Ben Melham will ride the Lee Freedman-trained Chateauneuf Dupape who is third favourite for the Karaka Million.

Michael Rodd also has rides at Sunday's twilight meeting, while Michelle Payne will be in New Zealand on Saturday when her mounts include Eileen Dubh in the Group One Thorndon Mile (1600m).