RANDWICK Bowman has special reason to win on Voila
HALL of Fame jockey Hugh Bowman is a man on a mission at Randwick today.
Bowman, who intends to take a family holiday after today’s meeting, has a competitive book of rides including the Chris Waller-trained Voila in the Heineken 3 Handicap.
Voila is raced by Denise Martin’s Star Thoroughbreds and Bowman has regularly won her famous colours of purple and white stars to bigrace success on the likes of D’Argento and Invincibella.
Martin is mourning the loss of her father, Paddy, last week and this has given Bowman extra incentive to win on Voila for the popular syndicator.
“It would mean the world to me if I could win on Voila,’’ Bowman said.
“Since Denise has raced her horses with the Chris Waller stable, we have had a great partnership.
“She has been a great supporter of mine, she’s a lovely person, and I always look forward to putting on her Star Thoroughbred colours.’’
Voila has been improved by two runs from a spell and is good each way value at $10 for today’s race.
Bowman had a frustrating afternoon at the Warwick Farm midweeks with minor placings from each of his five rides but he has a real opportunity at Randwick today to cap another successful season with a winner or two.
The jockey has seven rides today including classy Godolphin sprinter Viridine in the Winter Dash (1200m).
“Viridine’s in good form and is probably the standout horse in the race,’’ Bowman said.
“It’s been a while since he has won but I love riding horses that are dropping in class. This is the weakest race he has run in for a while.’’