Bowman tips open race
CHAMPION jockey Hugh Bowman says Alizee is “definitely” a live player in Saturday’s $14 million Everest, a race he says provides an atmosphere like no other he’s ridden in.
Bowman went to Godolphin’s Osborne Park to partner Alizee in a 1000m gallop yesterday morning, where she sat off stablemate Deprive and then picked him up in the last 400m.
On dismounting, he told trainer James Cummings the work was “excellent” and with Saturday’s race set to be a proper test of speed and stamina, she’s in the right spot to give it a shake.
“With Nature Strip’s addition to the field, it guarantees a high-pressure event,” Bowman said.
“It’s a very open race. It’s got more depth than the first two runnings and it’s going to be a real test.
“Redzel is a terrific horse, he’s been so well managed and he’s going to make his presence felt again.
“But he’s just got that cruising speed where he can control races. That’s his advantage and I think that’s going to be lost to him this year and with (Nature Strip in the race), I think it brings in the rest of the field.”
Bowman said even though it was assumed Osborne Bulls was always Godolphin’s No.1 seed, he didn’t necessarily see it that way.
“At any given time, if I was asked which one would I ride, it was a toss of the coin,” he said.
“From my point of view, it was never a clear choice of Osborne Bulls.
“Personally, I think this is the perfect trip for Alizee. I won a Group 1 over 1400m on her at Caulfield, but I feel she’s at her best at (1200m).”
Bowman rode Clearly Innocent and Brave Smash (who both ran eighth) in the first two Everest runnings, and said it was “unbelievable what it’s done for racing”.
“The game has been reinvented to a degree,” he said.
“It’s not all to do with The Everest, but it’s been a huge player in the way things have progressed.
“The amount of interest around the race is phenomenal and what impresses me most about it is the attraction it has to the younger people.
“It’s not until you go to the races on the day and get a feel for the vibe that you get an understanding of what I’m talking about.
“I’ve ridden in sold-out crowds, I’ve ridden at Royal Ascot, Cup Week at Flemington, Cox Plate day, Japan Cup, Arima Kinen – nothing gives you quite the feel that Everest gives you.
“I was surprised myself. It’s great for the sport and it’s an event, it’s not just a horse race.”