Hugh Bowman cemented his reputation as one of the most talented jockeys in the world when he steered Lim’s Showcase to victory in the Hello Chicago Stakes at Kranji on Singapore Derby Day.

Hugh Bowman (pictured after winning the Queensland Oaks on Winx) rode his first winner at Kranji on Singapore Derby Day yesterday. Photo by: Daniel Costello

Bowman started his day in Singapore with a third place finish on Hardcore Rock in the Hello Boston Stakes (1200m), but he did not wait long to ride his first winner on the meeting and led from start to finish on $19 chance Lim’s Showcase in the second race.

The win was Bowman’s first in Singapore after missing out in his two previous visits to the racing precinct and he told the media after the race that Lim’s Showcase could develop into a serious horse when he is able to mature.

“I’ve had a good book of seven rides and I’m trying to capitalise on that and hopefully have a good roll along,” Bowman said after the race.

“He’s not a bad horse, but he’s still got a bit of growing to do and I’m sure he’ll win more races.

“He’s very immature, but he’s only two and was only at his second run.

“When he jumped, he took notice of what was on the inside and he kind of came back off their face, but from his action he sure has a lot to offer.

“We were never headed in the home straight and he was very brave to the line.”

Bowman did not have a ride in the third race, but he found the placings on another longshot Geeson Master in the Hello New York Stakes (1200m) before he missed the placings on Aspen in the Hello Orlando Stakes (2000m) and Mr Clooney in the Hello San Francisco Stakes (1400m).

The Group 1 Singapore Derby (2000m) was the reason that Bowman made the trip to Singapore and he only narrowly missed out on a maiden international Group 1 victory when Fastnet Dragon finished third behind Quechua and War Affair before he finished his day off with a fourth place finish on Free Happy in the Hello Washington Stakes (1400m).

Bowman was not the only Australian hoop that had success at Singapore overnight, with the now locally based Corey Brown taking out the Singapore Derby on Quechau.

Trainer Patrick Shaw paid credit to the positive ride of Brown and the Melbourne Cup winning hoop said that Quechau travelled like the winning throughout the Singapore Derby.

“He jumped really well and I was able to get him in a good spot,” Brown said.

“He was on his best behavior today and ran relaxed throughout.

“He was travelling so good and with the soft run we got, when War Affair went to him at the corner, I told myself he would have to be a very good horse to beat us.

“When I gave him a squeeze, he started rolling and he is such a tradesman you know, but he just gives 200 per cent every time.”

Brown has been one of the most consistent jockeys in Singapore over the past two years and he sits in third position on the Singapore Jockey’s Premiership behind Maonel Nunes and fellow Aussie Michael Rodd.