Leading Group 1 winning jockey Hugh Bowman takes over from the suspended Damien Oliver on Flying Artie in the Group 1 $500,000 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Flying Artie, above, black and pink colours, will be ridden by Hugh Bowman in the Coolmore Stud Srakes at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
Oliver had been the regular rider on the Mick Price trained Flying Artie and was aboard when the colt scored a one and a quarter lengths win in the Group 3 $350,000 Catanach’s Jewellers Blue Sapphire Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on October 12.
But Oliver fell foul of Stewards who charged him with reckless riding after pushing out abruptly on Flying Artie at the 700m causing interference to Dean Yendall’s mount Ken’s Dream.
Stewards suspended Oliver for twenty meetings and after failing in his appeals with Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board and the Victorian Civil and Administrative Tribunal is unable to ride until Melbourne Cup Day next Tuesday.
Bowman, who was still on a high after steering Winx to back to back wins in the Group 1 $3m Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley with an eight lengths victory, went to Caulfield this morning to ride Flying Artie in a gallop with stablemate Extreme Choice and trainer Mick Price was happy with the hit out.
“I’ve never worked them together but it suited them best to work together this morning,” Price said.
“I didn’t use it as any guide.
“Hughie Bowman sat off Extreme Choice and I’m mindful the chestnut horse (Extreme Choice) trialled last Friday.
“They cruised up on the steeple grass. They both worked super and look great and they go into Saturday’s race in top form”
Extreme Choice has proved himself at Group 1 level against his own age as well as beating the older horses at weight for age in the Group 1 $500,000 Charter Keck Cramer Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley on September 30 and Price can see him and Flying Artie figuring in the finish.
“I’m confident Extreme Choice will be strong at the end of the race like he was in the Blue Diamond,” Price said.
Flying Artie and Extreme Choice have meet on two occasions with the ledger squared.
Flying Artie chased Extreme Choice home when second to him in the 2016 Group 1 $1.5m Ladbrokes Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on February 27 but then turned the tables when third to Capitalist in the Group 1 $3.5m Longines Golden Slipper (1200m) at Rosehill on March 19 with Extreme Choice crossing the line in eighth position.
The Coolmore Stud Stakes is shaping up as one the highlights of the four day Melbourne Cup Carnival at Flemington with Group 1 winners Capitalist, Extreme Choice and Golden Rose winner Astern being taken on by Flying Artie, the Team Hawkes trained Star Turn and the unbeaten Russian Revolution.
Flying Artie is well in contention in the early betting at Ladbrokes.com.au for the Coolmore Stud Stakes at $7.50 behind Extreme Choice at $3.20, Star Turn at $3.60 and Astern at $4.
Early market order for the Coolmore Stud Stakes at Ladbrokes.com.au: $3.20 Extreme Choice, $3.60 Star Turn, $4 Astern, $7.50 Flying Artie, $8 Russian Revolution, $11 Capitalist, $21 Derryn, $34 Archives, Saracino, Verstappen, $41 Comin’ Through, Kentucky Miss, $51 Monolo Blahniq, Nikitas, $151 Apiata, Charnley River.
