Tuesday, 11 September 2012:
Hugh Bowman is the most successful jockey in Golden Rose history but he will be trying to win it at Group One level for the first time on Saturday.
Bowman won the first two editions in 2003 (In Top Swing) and 2004 (Doonan) - when the race had a $1 million purse but no Group status - and claimed his third victory aboard Duporth in 2008 when it was run at Group Two level.
The following year it was elevated to a Group One and on Saturday Bowman shoots for his fourth victory when he partners the Anthony Cummings-trained Ninth Legion.
Bowman believes the colt is a genuine winning chance after coming up with barrier five at Tuesday's draw.
"He's drawn to get a nice run and he's going to get his chance if he's good enough," Bowman said.
Bowman was delighted with Ninth Legion's fourth in the Group Three Run To The Rose (1200m) last start, his first ride on the colt, and said his sectional times were good enough to suggest he was a genuine chance as he steps up to 1400m.
"I hadn't been on Doonan before he won the race but I'd ridden In Top Swing and was quietly confident on him," Bowman recalled.
"Certainly I went into the race with the most confidence on Racing To Win and he was beaten by Paratroopers (in 2005).
"I feel that Duporth was probably a couple of lengths better horse at this point than this horse is but in saying that I don't feel the race is as strong this year as it was that year."
Favourite Nechita is the horse Bowman fears the most, and he would have ridden the filly first-up in the Silver Shadow Stakes but wasn't able to make her weight.
"She's a brilliant filly and I have a lot of respect for her," Bowman said.
