RAND JAN 06 - BOWMAN BAGS A TREBLE

By Scott Gooley | Thursday, January 7, 2010

Hugh Bowman increased his number winning rides in the Sydney Premiership to thirty this season with a treble at the Kensington track at Randwick on Wednesday.

Bowman kicked of the program with a win aboard the Tim Martin trained Just A Touch in the first race, the Bronte Handicap (1550m).

Punters were prepared to forgive her poor performance last start and sent her out a solid $2.40 favourite. Bowman and the filly didn’t let them down, recording a tough, long-head victory from Da Vista ($20.00) with a further short neck to Davala ($5.00)

Punters weren’t as pleased when Bowman recorded his second victory of the day in the fifth race, the Clovelly Handicap over 1150m.

The Gai Waterhouse trained Kontiki Park, who had won both of his career starts to date and was racing first-up since August, was sent out the ruling $2.35 favourite. Not so well supported in the betting however, but also resuming form a six month spell, was the five-year-old gelding, Universal Boy.

Having his first start for new trainer Paul Jones, son of Canberra trainer Barbara Joseph, Universal Boy ($18.00) was restrained by Bowman after the jump and was a clear last as the field turned for home.

Bowman searched for, and found, runs through the field of twelve runners and at the 200m mark, emerged from the pack to set chase after Kontiki Park who had forged to the lead.

Over the final 100m, Universal Boy was able to get the better of Kontiki Park, who will definitely benefit from the run, and record a head victory. There was a further two and half lengths back to the third placed Elusive Lad.

Universal Boy was only the third horse Jones had taken to the races since he commenced training six weeks ago.

Bowman also unexpectedly picked up the ride on Modonna in the last race on the card, the Coogee Handicap over 1300m, after Blake Shinn was stood down because of a wrist injury.

Taking full advantage of her good gate (4), Bowman drove the three-year-old More Than Ready filly to the lead and she was rewarded for her consistent performances of late by holding off the determined challenge of Brasileira to record a short-neck victory. This was her second win from nine starts.

Bowman now trails Premiership leader Corey Brown, by four.

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