Hugh fired up for the big race

HUGH Bowman may privately wish he was riding a superstar like Winx or Black Caviar in the $13 million The Everest at Royal Randwick tomorrow but the champion jockey believes the race is better for their absence.

It’s an interesting take on the world’s richest turf race, which has attracted a hot field of 12 outstanding sprinters, including 10 individual Group 1 winners.

With bookmakers betting $7 for the favourite and the rank outsider at $21, it only highlights the evenness of The Everest.

Bowman believes the absence of a dominant horse like Winx or Black Caviar makes The Everest an even better spectacle.

“Personally, I would love to be on a Winx or a Black Caviar going into a $13 million race,’’ Bowman said. “But for the event, it is an absolute blessing that they are not in the race. This is such a very even field of outstanding sprinters which I think is great for the race.’’

Bowman rides $14 chance Brave Smash in The Everest at 4.15pm tomorrow, with the jockey taking plenty of heart from the sprinter’s lead-up runs.

“I couldn’t be happier with Brave Smash,’’ Bowman said. “This horse is going to peak on the day, he has been trained for the race.’’

Bowman has also left nothing to chance in his preparation for The Everest, undergoing his gruelling weekly gym session with personal trainer Trent Langlands.

During his workout, Bowman jumps between different apparatuses with confidence and poise, repeating exercises many times, his timing so precise he doesn’t make a mistake.

“We are trying to create balance in unbalanced situations and that is what being on top of a horse is,’’ Langlands said. “So the more strength, stability and balance a jockey can have on top of a horse will help them.

“We work on scenarios that will test them and test their nervous system out when they are riding.

“I am trying to make their training more specific for when they get on top of their horses.’’

Bowman says his physical wellbeing helps his mental approach to riding.

“I find the fitter I am the better I train and the better I train the better I ride,’’ Bowman said.

The champion jockey’s superior fitness has enabled him to bounce back quickly after he was forced to stand down from riding at the Warwick Farm midweek meeting with flu-like symptoms.

But Bowman was feeling much better yesterday, declaring himself fit to ride at The Everest meeting.

“I’m really looking forward (to tomorrow) because The Everest last year was amazing,’’ Bowman said.

“The race was a real surprise to me. It was the first running of the race, I had my doubts and thought ‘are they doing the right thing here?’

“But the day had a really good feel.”