3 minute read

Hugh Bowman is probably the only one of the 12 jockeys riding at the Mauritius International Jockeys’ Weekend on December 1 and 2 who did not have to sign autographs when he landed at Plaisance Airport on Sunday evening.

Poster boys like Christophe Soumillon, Olivier Peslier, Stephane Pasquier and Mickael Barzalona need little introduction among the local fans, who have traditionally shown a penchant for Les Bleus of France at the annual contest which brings the curtains on the Mauritian racing season, never mind if three-time winner Soumillon (2004, 2005 and 2008) is from neighbouring Belgium.

Even the Anglo-Saxons like Johnny Geroudis, Noel Callow and William Buick have their supporters in the officially bilingual country though the influence is predominantly Gallic in all manners of language and culture. South Africa’s Geroudis is the just-anointed Mauritius champion jockey, Australia’s Callow is the undisputed King and Anglo-Dane Buick flew the flag high for Team Rest of the World last year.

And the loudest cheers will of course go to the Mauritian Team made up of South African “exiles” Karis Teetan and Nooresh Juglall and top local boy Rai Joorawon.

But Bowman is happy to blend into the backdrop unnoticed, and would rather be the one acquainting himself with all things Mauritian – racing and non-racing, if anything.

“I heard the track (Champ de Mars) is pretty tight. I’ve seen replays and I’ll also get Noel to give me a few pointers,” said Bowman who, with Irish wife Christine, were tucked away under a thatched parasol at the five-star Long Beach Hotel on Monday afternoon.

“I’ve heard many good things about this contest. Corey (Brown) gave it a big wrap and I just heard he won it last year.

“But I’d also like to make the most of my one week here. I’m someone who likes to do physical things and I will definitely go scuba diving and big-game fishing.

“It’s a lovely country and I was really impressed how my wife Christine and I have been well taken care of since we arrived at the airport and at the Long Beach Hotel. The only hiccup was that one of my bags got left behind in Perth, but it’s all good as it’s on its way here.”

Bowman, who left Sydney on a winning note after steering Specific Choice to an all-the-way win in the Inglis Bonus Handicap at Rosehill, said he needed a break after a taxing Spring Carnival when he had to waste down to 53.5kg to ride Mourayan (7th) in the Melbourne Cup.

“It’s been a testing Spring Carnival and it’s also the end of a long year,” said Bowman who netted four Group 1 wins in 2012, including the George Main Stakes and Chpping Norton Stakes aboard Shoot Out.

“There isn’t much left till the end of the year other than the Group 2 Villiers Stakes (1600m) on 22 December.

“But I’m looking forward to riding the Coolmore filly Crazyonyou in next January’s Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m). She’s a relation to Fastnet Rock and won a nice trial, but she ran second last Saturday (in the Goldners Horse Transport Plate over 1100m at Rosehill Gardens).

“She’s the sort who prefers to be ridden off the speed, but she was drawn wide and I had to press her forward or it would have turned into a procession.”

The Anthony Cummings-trained filly is by Encosta de Lago out of Sarasota, a Danehill mare who is a full-sister to Fastnet Rock.

But before the two-time Sydney champion jockey dreams of landing a third Magic Millions 2YO Classic after Bradbury’s Luck (2005) and Mimi Lebrock (2007), his immediate goal is to add another feather to his cap in the tropical island of Mauritius at the high-octane two-day meeting this weekend.

“There are some big names like Christophe Soumillon, William Buick and Maxime Guyon, but I will try my best for my team,” said Bowman who is no stranger to jockeys’ series having won the Silver Saddle in the 2007 Shergar Cup besides winning the overall title for his Rest of the World Team.

“Wednesday’s draw will give me a better idea but I’m already all pumped up.”