Best known for his association with the legendary Winx, Hugh Bowman is fast becoming the go-to man for the major two-year-old races.
Bowman won his first Golden Slipper 12 months ago aboard Farnan then proceeded to make a clean sweep of Sydney's juvenile triple crown, adding the Sires' Produce and Champagne Stakes on King's Legacy.
He took out the first significant two-year-old race of 2021 with a Magic Millions Classic victory aboard Shaquero and on Saturday, Bowman will link with odds-on favourite Profiteer in the $2 million Inglis Millennium (1100m) at Randwick.
The top jockey says there is no secret formula to his strikerate in the juvenile features over the past two seasons, just the right horses and a pinch of luck.
“It all comes down to the horse and being on the right animal,” Bowman said.
“There's no magic in it, or no particular change in my process, it's just the way it worked out for me.
“For instance, in the Magic Millions I was booked to ride Ranch Hand but when he didn't make the field Chris (Waller) put me on Shaquero, who then drew one.
“There is more luck to do with it than anything else, I can assure you.”
Luck might be a factor but Bowman has also been putting in the hard yards.
After a couple of high-profile suspensions during the middle of last year, the star hoop took time to rediscover his groove.
But with six wins from his past 14 rides, including Savatiano in the Expressway Stakes and a double at the Kensington track on Wednesday, Bowman is back.
“I had a pretty chequered spring for one reason or another, which was frustrating,” he said.
“I kept working through the summer without much success but I feel like the tide is starting to come back in again now.
“I've got some really nice rides to look forward to, I've got the support of the big stables among others. I consider myself in an enviable position.”
One of the horses Bowman is excited about is Profiteer.
A winner of his only start in Melbourne, the speedy colt impressed Bowman when he led throughout in a preparatory trial in Sydney.
Newgate Farm recently purchased a majority stake in the son of exciting first season sire Capitalist, who they stand, and if Profiteer lives up to Bowman's assessments, it will be a sage investment.
“I was super impressed with the feel he gave me in the trial and he backed that up with good work on Tuesday morning,” Bowman said.
“I'm interested to see what level he can go to because he feels to be well above average.
“He's a very fast horse.”
Profiteer has continued to tighten and was a $1.75 TAB fixed odds favourite on Thursday, ahead of fillies Ashema and Sneaky Five who are joint second picks at $8.50.