Bowman has concerns about Thousand Guineas favourite
CHAMPION jockey Hugh Bowman has reservations heading into the $500,000 Group 1 Thousand Guineas at Caulfield on Saturday.
Bowman rides the Chris Waller-trained Foxplay, a filly he has won all three starts on, but running for the first time around Caulfield has given Bowman reason to worry.
“If it was Flemington I wouldn’t be concerned but having her first go the Melbourne way around Caulfield is always a worry,” Bowman said.
“Her racing style could work against her. She doesn’t lead and she doesn’t swoop, so she’ll likely be mid-pack and that is the concern.
“She doesn’t quicken until she’s well balanced. But she’s a sensible filly, straightforward.”
Bowman rode Foxplay to victory in the Furious Stakes and the Tea Rose Stakes where it had to overcome immense pressure in the straight. It will be stepping up to the mile for the first time, but Bowman believes that won’t worry the daughter of Foxwedge which also holds a nomination for the Crown Oaks.
“The 1600 metres won’t be a problem,” Bowman said. “In fact I think she’ll appreciate it.”
Foxplay opened as the firm favourite at $2.60, but has continued to drift to $3 with Sportsbet.
Bowman rides Good Standing in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas and believes it will handle Caulfield better than Foxplay.
“I’m starting to warm to him,” Bowman said.
“I’m not as worried about the track with him as I am with Foxplay. That’s my gut feeling.
“I’ve always had a big opinion of him and was always confident he’d make a really good miler.
“Whilst I haven’t ridden him this preparation my opinion hasn’t changed. I don’t mind the wide draw either. Unless the pressure comes from underneath I imagine I’ll slide across and settle somewhere in the first four.”
It will have to contend with fellow Sydney-trained favourites Impending and Divine Prophet and Bowman believes the Sydney form is the way to go.
“The Sydney form looks the right benchmark,” Bowman said. “And he doesn’t need to improve much off what he’s been doing. He just needs a bit of luck.”
Good Standing is at $9 with CrownBet for the Caulfield Guineas where Impending has stayed steady at $4.40.