Jockey Hugh Bowman has banked his first winner on his UK working holiday

Hugh Bowman has kicked into gear on his UK working holiday making a big impact at the Haydock meeting on Saturday.

He had five rides on the program and he made them count with only one horse failing to look a chance.

That first win came as well taking out the Old Newton Cup for his friend Mick Channon with veteran horse Halicarnassus.

The stallion has just one more scheduled run before being retired to stud so it was a very special win for the stable and connections.

Channon paid credit to both the horse and rider in getting a tenth career victory.

He’s the toughest horse I’ve ever trained, ultra sound,” Channon said.

“Hugh Bowman gave him a great ride and with the ground to his liking he won cosily.”

He won the race a matter of minutes after watching So You Think win the Eclipse Stakes, something he was keen to address in his post race interview.

“I was delighted to see him win. He’s a superstar horse. There’s no doubt the middle-distance horses are superior over here in the way that our sprinters are better,” Bowman said.

“For him to come over and beat the best here means a lot to me and to everyone involved with the horse and the Australian racing industry.”

Bowman came agonisingly close to scoring a double on a number of occasions, in fact in addition to his win he came home second three times.