Ten years on from the first of their four Cox Plates together, the band of Chris Waller and Hugh Bowman is getting back together.
Bowman will jet in from Hong Kong to ride ATC Derby winner Aeliana (NZ) (Castelvecchio) in Saturday’s weight-for-age championship, which will be the first time that he’s ridden the four-year-old mare.
“Obviously, I have a wonderful history in the race with Chris Waller of course,” Bowman said from Hong Kong. “Aeliana herself has been ultra impressive, I think, certainly at the back end of her three-year-old career and I think there’s been a lot of merit in all her runs this time in.
“Obviously, Damian Lane being committed to Treasurethe Moment has had Chris Waller in the position where he’s needed a jockey, I’m really grateful and proud that he gave me the opportunity to come back and ride her.
“There’s a great feeling about it and let’s hope that Aeliana puts her best foot forward. If she does, I certainly think she can be competitive.”
Bowman’s previous experience with Waller has also given him extra confidence heading into Saturday’s $6 million contest. Aeliana is one of three Cox Plate runners from the Kiwi expat’s stable, with his attack on the race headlined by defending champion Via Sistina.
“Although I’ve had nothing to do physically with Aeliana, it’s quite obvious to me looking back on her races that she appears to be going every bit as good as Via Sistina,” Bowman said.
“She obviously lacks the maturity and the strength of her, her opposition but she’s a horse on the rise and having worked so closely with Chris and his stable for so many years, I do know one thing; he wouldn’t be taking her to the races unless she was a genuine, competitive, winning chance and in a physical and mental state to run to a premium, so that in itself gives me a great deal of confidence.”
Saturday’s meeting at The Valley will be the last at the track in its current configuration, a venue where Bowman has ridden 14 winners, including his four Cox Plates on Winx.
“It’s interesting; of all of the metropolitan tracks in Sydney and Melbourne, it’s probably my least acquainted because I probably go there once, maybe twice, maximum three times a year, so I haven’t ridden there much to be honest!” Bowman said.
“It’s been a beautiful hunting ground, I do really love it, it’s got a great feel about it for obvious reasons. When I go to Moonee Valley, or walk onto the track, it brings back an abundance of emotions that are really good and positive. Let’s hope we can add to them this weekend.”
Sportsbet has Aeliana at $8.50 in its Cox Plate market.