The old firm of Hugh Bowman and Chris Waller have combined for Group 2 success in the Sweet Embrace Stakes at Randwick on Saturday afternoon.
The filly out of Capitalist has franked the form from the Inglis Millennium, as well as Facile and Blanc De Blanc all coming through the same race behind Learning To Flying on February 11.
It was a dominant win all things considered as Bowman circled the entire field from well back in the run to secure her way to the Golden Slipper in three weeks-time.
Blanc De Blanc lost no admirers as James McDonald got caught four-wide the entire journey and she still had the audacity to cling on for third, while Facile was a big improver stepping up to the 1200m running into second.
Even money favourite, Skirt The Law, was clearly the disappointing run on what we’d seen in Queensland, petering out of the race after absorbing plenty of pressure early.
Sweet Embrace Stakes Replay – Lazzago
Lazzago will now be one of the Chris Waller stables best chances heading into the Golden Slipper firming into a $15 chance with online bookmakers.
Chris Waller spoke post-race and it was of no surprise he was emotional about the win, particularly with the Winx connections front and centre to experience that winning feeling again with the old firm back together.
“It was a lovely run last start and the first-up run was a win. Third-up, she’s been building towards something solid and with Hugh back in town,” said Waller.
“It’s very special, especially for this ownership group, Debbie Kepitis, Paul and the family.”
Waller spoke to the enormity of having such a classy jockey of Hugh Bowman’s quality back in town as well.
“It’s great that Hugh’s (Bowman) back in Sydney, we’ve missed him over the past few months,” said Waller.
“There’s still great jockeys here in Sydney but when you’re going to Hugh for most of the rides as well as James (McDonald) and he’s not there that’s when you notice it the most.”
Jockey Hugh Bowman echoed the sentiments post-race as well.
“It’s just great to be back at Randwick, my home track. To ride a winner for Chris Waller who’s been my biggest supporter for the best part of the last two decades,” said Bowman.
“And of course the Ingham family as well, Debbie (Kepitis) and the team with the Winx connection there so it’s just lovely to win for the connections.”
He also spoke of the improvement for this filly moving forward for bigger targets in the Autumn.
“You can see her coat hasn’t quite come through yet. I’m not going to judge her too much, I hadn’t seen her or had anything to do with her,” said Bowman.
“But she gave me a lovely ride, she’s very sensible and when she gets in a race where there is tempo she’s going to be much better.”
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