Bowman, Bell front stipes over exchange
Jockeys Hugh Bowman and Mitchell Bell have engaged in a heated exchange after crossing the finish line in the Hall Mark Stakes.
Bell was suspended for four meetings for careless riding aboard Artlee after he was in a bumping duel with Bowman’s mount Target In Sight in the straight.
“We had words,” Bell told stewards.
Bowman confirmed the pair had butted heads.
He said he asked Bell “a few questions” after his horse became unbalanced and was forced to relinquish ground because of the bumping.
Racing NSW senior steward Marc Van Gestel said there would be no penalty for the exchange, but warned the jockeys against repeating the incident.
“We don’t want to have a repeat of riders slinging off at each other. Leave that for the stewards,” Van Gestel said.