For the first time in more than two years, Winx (Aus) (Street Cry {Ire}) will not have Hugh Bowman in the saddle when she goes to post for her seasonal return in the Feb. 17 G2 Apollo S. The 2017 Longines World's Best Jockey picked up a suspension on Ellerslie's Karaka Millions card in New Zealand on Saturday that, added to a seven-day suspension incurred the previous day at Warwick Farm in Sydney, will see him sidelined from Feb. 4 to 22.
Bowman told the Daily Telegraph, “I won't be appealing it and I expect her [Winx] to start as planned on the 17th and I won't be riding her, which will be a strange experience. I don't know who will be next in line but [trainer] Chris [Waller] will work something out.”
Winx, who was last seen winning her third straight G1 Cox Plate on Oct. 28, rides a 22-race win streak, and Bowman has been in the saddle for all but two of those wins, the exceptions being the first and third of those victories. In addition to the three Cox Plates, Winx and Bowman's memorable moments together have included wins at The Championships in the G1 Doncaster Mile and the G1 Queen Elizabeth S.; repeat victories in the G1 Chipping Norton S. and G1 George Ryder S. and a 6 1/2-length tour de force in last season's G1 Turnbull S. in her only ever start at Flemington.
Not a subscriber? Click here to sign up for the daily PDF or alerts.
