Hugh Bowman lands Happy Valley treble and brings up career-best Hong Kong tally
Hugh Bowman surged past his best Hong Kong haul and onto the 71-winner mark with a Happy Valley treble on Wednesday evening, but he won't be resting on his laurels for too long in the off-season.
The 44-year-old struck in the first two races on the card, but by far his best win came in the feature Class Two Begonia Handicap (1,800m) aboard the fast-finishing Jumbo Legend for Caspar Fownes.
Victory for the six-year-old never looked likely in the run, with Bowman having to sit and suffer in last before unleashing a devastating turn of foot to go past them all in the final 150m.
Bowman's night to remember got up and running in the first race, landing the Class Five Hawthorne Handicap (1,000m) on the Mark Newnham-trained Notthesillyone.
Jumbo Legend finishes like a train! Last-to-first in the Class 2 feature at Happy Valley as @HugeBowman scoops a three-timer... 👌#HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/mtii4Rj2RZ — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) July 9, 2025
Bowman enjoyed the perfect trip, stalking the leader on the rails for the entire journey and when the two in front of him left a gap at the 200m pole, he parted the Red Sea and won out in a protracted duel with $2.8 favourite Ace Talent.
Bowman doubled up just 30 minutes later in the Class Five Magnolia Handicap (1,650m) when Shinkansen led all the way for trainer Douglas Whyte.
The pair cruised to the front into the first bend and Bowman had all his rivals at it as they turned into the straight.
Foremost Teddy, backed into $3.7 favourite, emerged from the pack as the only danger, but he ran out of runway and arrived a short head too late.
🗣️ "Fighting like a caged tiger!" 🐯@DJWhyteTrainer's Shinkansen pulls out of all of the stops as @HugeBowman caps a race-to-race double and his 70th winner this season... 👌 #HappyWednesday | #HKracing pic.twitter.com/XbxdJL8ZM8 — HKJC Racing (@HKJC_Racing) July 9, 2025
'It helped not being injured. I spent a lot of time injured and being suspended last season, so time in the saddle might be the key but I've had a good season, a good support base and I think I've had a good consistent year,' said Bowman.
'I feel like I can do better but I'm satisfied with how we've gone this season and I would like to build on it next year.'
Although Bowman will enjoy a little bit of time off, he will not be on the sidelines for long as he is heading to the United Kingdom to team up with Karis Teetan at the Shergar Cup at Ascot on August 9.
'I was invited to ride in [the Shergar Cup], so plans are being made around that. That will keep me honest,' Bowman said.
Meanwhile, Whyte continued his strong end to the campaign when Ace Power caused a $46 boilover in the first section of the Class Four Garden Handicap (1,200m).
Second last for the entire journey, his jockey Luke Ferraris switched him wide into the straight and the writing was quickly on the wall, with the pair flying home to win by three-quarters of a length.
'He had a wide draw tonight and it probably played into his favour. The race unfolded well with the speed and he got into the race at the right time,' said Whyte.
'He can produce those sorts of efforts – when he gets held up he gives up, so he got going at the right time and had a smooth run.
'I highlighted three months ago that I'd have a good back end to the season – the horses were highly rated and some had a break. They've all come back into form now and are racing well.'
Elsewhere, David Hayes kept his fleeting trainers' premiership hopes alive when Red Majesty won his 10th race over course and distance in the Class Four Green Handicap (1,650m).
'Francis [Lui Kin-wai] came from nowhere last year and won it. We're just at the stage now where we need John [Size] to not train winners and I need to keep training them. It's a long shot – possible but unlikely,' Hayes said after moving to within six victories of Size.
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