Bowman needs good luck with So Si Bon
Sydney jockey Hugh Bowman needs a bit of luck on his side if he is to win a fourth Victoria Derby.
Should he get that, Bowman rates So Si Bon a genuine chance to give him and trainer Robbie Laing a second Derby to go with their success in 2013 with Polanski.
Drawing barrier 11 is “a little awkward”, Bowman concedes, particularly as Derby favourite Sacred Elixir has secured the inside barrier for the $ 1.5 million Flemington Classic.
“What might work against us all is that the favourite has drawn very well and he’s got the tactical speed. He is going to be in a good position,” Bowman said yesterday. “If I can find a nice position without doing too much work I’m confident this horse will certainly make his presence felt.”
Punters rate So Si Bon as Sacred Elixir’s main threat, after the colt’s third behind the New Zealander in the Vase on a soft Moonee Valley track last Saturday.
Bowman has not ridden So Si Bon on raceday, but put the horse through his paces in trackwork on Thursday.
“Just seeing him at the races the last couple of starts he seems to be a little bit of a quirky colt, but when I went down and rode him he’s actually very straightforward. He’s got a lot of presence about him.
“I’m going to need a little bit of luck to get the right run but if I do get the right run I think he can win.”
Bowman has won the Victoria Derby three times since 2010 on Lion Tamer, Sangster ( 2011) and Polanski ( 2013). “All three Derbys that I’ve won I’ve had a lot of confidence in the horses that I’ve been on.
“That’s one ingredient that I’ve got this year: I’ve got a lot of confidence in the horse that I’m riding.”
Jockey Kerrin McEvoy is happy for Russian Revolution to be flying under the radar ahead of the highly anticipated Coolmore Stud Stakes.
Despite winning all four of his starts ahead of the group one 1200msprint today, the Peter and Paul Snowden- trained Russian Revolution is at $ 10 in a star- studded field of colts headed by Extreme Choice ($ 3) and Astern ($ 3.20).
“He just keeps flying under the radar does little Russian,” McEvoy said. “He was a good winner up in Sydney last start against Astern and Capitalist and I really like the way he has been handled by Peter and Paul.”
Russian Revolution, who jumps from the outside gate, will be the Snowden team’s sole representative in what i s regarded as a stallionmaking race, with Golden Slipper winner Capitalist ruled out yesterday with a stone bruise.
All has gone to plan with Russian Revolution and McEvoy was pleased with the way he handled himself in a straight- track work- out last week.
“He has come down here to Melbourne and he’s still nice and fresh and he really impressed me down the straight last Friday in that jump- out.
“There was Astern and Extreme Choice in there and Extreme Choice was right near me and I thought I was going just as good as him.
“We ran some quick time and I just like the way he acted and handled the straight. He moved really well down there and I’m pleased with his barrier draw.” houldn't be difficult to land a complimentary drink at the Victorian Police headquarters this Christmas. The Vic cops will have more money than they will know what to do with.
That's if they follow through on their threat/ promise to land instant fines on those found drunk at the four- day Melbourne Cup Carnival which begins this afternoon. Good luck with that. Derby Day this afternoon is not one for the revellers. Group races across the board and judged by many, this writer included, as overall the world's finest raceday.
Thursday is Oaks Day. Used to be nicknamed Ladies' Day, now Mans' Day for reasons that should be obvious. Sobriety is a lot more difficult to find than Derby Day. Much easier on Emirates Day next Saturday, when only the true race enthusiast shows up, the remainder of Melbourne resting punished livers.
Cup Day? Well, you have to have been to one to really appreciate it.
Commander Russell Barrett has issued orders to his troops to instantly fine anyone found drunk on any of the four days $ 622 and for being drunk