Bowman warms up with Smashing Manikato win
ON the eve of his date with destiny with Winx in the Cox Plate, champion jockey Hugh Bowman showed his mastery last night, winning the Group 1 Manikato Stakes (1200m) on Brave Smash.
Brave Smash’s trainer Darren Weir put the win at Moonee Valley down to Bowman’s great ride.
“He pinged the gates and then got him into a great spot,” Weir said.
Bowman positioned Brave Smash in a midfield position three out behind Spirit Of Valour and followed that horse into the race. Spirit Of Valour, ridden by Oisin Murphy, hit the front on straightening but Bowman was able to wear him down.
Bowman said the addition of blinkers had made the difference for Brave Smash last night.
“He was set for The Everest but he found a wet track. I told Darren Weir not to use the blinkers then but they made a difference,” Bowman said.
Weir said he was glad he waited to put the blinkers on last night as Brave Smash needed them so that he could get a good spot in the early stages of the race. Weir said he had great success with Brave Smash’s owners Australian Bloodstock, who purchased Brave Smash in Japan, but the last six months hadn’t been easy.
“They never whinge or complain,” Weir said.
It was Brave Smash’s second Group 1 win as he also won the Futurity Stakes in February.
It was a messy Manikato Stakes with numerous luckless runners.
TJ Comerford was thrilled with the effort of Sprit Of Valour to run second and said Aidan O’Brien was thrilled his sprinters could measure up in Australia.