Press Statement is currently a dominant favourite in 2016 Royal Randwick Guineas betting markets and regular jockey Hugh Bowman is very bullish that the talented colt can record a third Group 1 victory this weekend.
Press Statement will have the chance to record a third win at Group 1 level in the 2016 Royal Randwick Guineas this weekend. Photo by: Steve Hart
Bowman partnered Press Statement for the first time when he won the Group 2 Stan Fox Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill Gardens on September 26 last year and he is yet to suffer defeat on the son of Hinchinbrook after steering him to victory in the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) on October 10 and the Group 2 Hobartville Stakes (1400m) at Rosehill Gardens on February 20.
The leading hoop admitted that he was surprised with just how well Press Statement performed in the Hobartville Stakes and he told Sky Racing HQ that the three-year-old is ready to produce an improved performance in the 2016 Royal Randwick Guineas.
“It was a good win,” Bowman said of the Hobartville Stakes.
“We expected him to race well, but I didn’t expect for him to perform at the level that he did.
“From that I take great confidence going into Saturday’s race.
“I thought that he would improve on his first-up run, I rode him this morning and to me he has come on from the Hobartville win.
“We are pretty confident on Saturday.”
Bowman broke through for his first win in the Royal Randwick Guineas last year when he steered Hallowed Crown to a narrow victory over Sweynesse and Shooting To Win and he has the chance to become the first jockey in the past 30 years to take out the Group 1 event in back-to-back years.
Press Statement is currently available at 2016 Royal Randwick Guineas odds of $1.70 with Ladbrokes and he is a clear favourite from the progressive Montaigne ($7.50), Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me ($9) and Spring Champion Stakes winner Vanbrugh ($11).
Talented filly Risque ($14) and CS Hayes Stakes winner Tivaci ($15) are next in betting, but they are both expected to remain in Melbourne for the Group 1 Australian Guineas (1600m) ay Flemington.
