Purrfect Start For Bowman
The Sunday Age
Sunday September 23, 2007
SYDNEY jockey Hugh Bowman's decision to base himself in Melbourne paid dividends yesterday when he rode three-year-old Purrealist to victory in the group 3 The Age Caulfield Guineas Prelude.
Bowman, who returned from England a month ago, shifted to Melbourne because of the equine influenza outbreak in NSW. The owners of Purrealist, who paid $700,000 for the lightly raced three-year-old, will this week decide whether Bowman stays on the colt for the $1 million Caulfield Guineas or regular rider Steven Arnold, who could not make yesterday's weight of 54 kilograms, will be back in the saddle. Trainer Danny O'Brien believes Purrealist is an ideal type for the Caulfield Guineas. "Ever since we broke him in the Caulfield Guineas has been his main aim. Today perhaps he was back on the inside where the going mightn't have been the best, but he overcame that like good racehorses do," O'Brien said. "He settles well and he's just now looking for the 1600 metres and I'd say at this stage he won't race again before the group 1 event." Boom three-year-old Weekend Hussler, who landed a huge betting plunge at Sandown last Wednesday and firmed to $3.80 favourite for the Guineas, was scratched from yesterday's event, but will return to Sandown on Sunday over 1300 metres in a bid to fully qualify for the October 13 race. "He's No. 29 in order, but a win at Sandown should push him up the order of entry," trainer Ross McDonald said yesterday. Marching ($4 favourite) also impressed with his second placing, only a half-neck behind Purrealist ($5.50). Shrewd Rhythm ($6.85) was a length away third. ? South Australian filly Gabbidon raced into favouritism for the Thousand Guineas with her impressive performance in the fillies Prelude. Gabbidon, who has now won two races since arriving here from Adelaide, firmed from $34 to $5 favourite for the race at Caulfield on October 17. And the victory was a lucky break for Queensland jockey Stathi Katsidis, who gained the ride on Gabbidon after regular rider Nicholas Ryan failed to make the filly's weight. Gabbidon ($26) scored by a 13/4 lengths from Jestatune ($9).
© 2007 The Sunday Age