Racing
Bowman chasing a century of Australian Group 1 wins at Flemington
Hall of Fame jockey Hugh Bowman's four-year wait to bring up his century of Australian Group 1 wins can end at Flemington on Saturday.
The champion jockey has been stuck on 99 Australian Group 1 wins since his scored on Sharp 'N' Smart in the 2022 Spring Champion Stakes.
Bowman, who has 107 career Group 1 wins and is best known for his wonderful association with all-time great Winx, has been based in Hong Kong for the last four years.
"We all know Hugh is a great jockey, his record speaks for itself,'' Baker said.
"Hugh won a VRC Derby on Lion Tamer (2010) when I was training with my father (Murray),'' Baker said.
"Then he won the ATC Australian Oaks and Underwood Stakes for Murray on Bonneval (2017).
"He's got the job done for us before and we are happy he's agreed to come to Flemington for us on Saturday.''
"We could have run Stefi Magnetica last Saturday (Verry Elleegant Stakes) but she is better suited with the three weeks between runs into the All Star Mile,'' Baker explained.
Stefi Magnetica, winner of the Doncaster Mile last year, is at $7 in early All Star Mile betting behind Pride Of Jenni at $3.50.
Baker also has Caballus in the Newmarket Handicap with Bowman set to ride provided the sprinter gets his weight.
Caballus was brilliant first-up when he split top mares Joliestar and Lady Shenandoah in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes and Baker's sprinter did win down the Flemington 1200m straight course during spring.
The Baker-trained Disneck, winner of the Standish Handicap in January, also lines up in the Newmarket with Winona Costin booked for the ride.
