Racing
Waller and Bowman team again in Cox Plate
Aeliana has brought Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman together chasing another Cox Plate win.
The Cox Plate winning firm of Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman have got the band back together looking to win the race together for a fifth time.
Waller and Bowman combined in four consecutive years to win the Cox Plate with Winx in 2014 through to 2017.
This year they team with Aeliana, who like Winx in her first victory, is a four-year-old mare in Saturday's weight-for-age championship over 2040m at Moonee Valley, the last at the unique track before it is rebuilt and reshaped.
Waller sent the now Hong Kong-based Bowman a video as he was driving past the Winx statue at Moonee Valley and asked if he was available for the ride.
"I said, 'we need you back'," Waller said.
"When he (Bowman) woke up in the morning, he sent me a thumbs up, so it's exciting to have Hughie back in town.
"I think he's the perfect fit for Aeliana. She's a similar horse to Winx, in terms of where she's at when Winx had her first Cox Plate.
"She's no Winx, but she's not far off and she's going to have that continued improvement I think as she gets older."
Waller said Winx had not been destined to head to her first Cox Plate until after winning the Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick at her start prior.
"Winx was never going to a Cox Plate, but then she won the Epsom and a few days after someone said she would be a good chance in the Cox Plate," Waller said.
Winx won 33 races in succession with Bowman aboard in 31 of those wins, including her last 30.
Being based in Hong Kong and having not ridden Aeliana previously does not concern Waller.
"He'll come in, not worried about the race, and do the best he can," Waller said.
"He'll let the race unfold, as we did with Winx that first year. She drew barrier one, she stuck to the fence, and the rest is history."
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