Hugh Bowman doubted whether he would ever feel the same exhilaration after riding Reliable Man to victory in the 2013 Group I Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick.
Reliable Man, an imported galloper from Britain, was an emphatic winner of the autumn showpiece and Bowman's elation was clear for all to see – click here for the race replay, courtesy of Racing NSW.
But fast forward three years and Bowman has rediscovered that same feeling when he climbs aboard the champion mare Winx.
And when you consider the type of horse flesh Bowman has been associated with during his accomplished career it highlights the utter superiority of Reliable Man and Winx.
Racing To Win, Defier, Samantha Miss, Desert War, Shoot Out, Streama, Norzita, Criterion, Terravista, Lucia Valentina, and Werther are but a few of the top class horses Bowman has had the privilege of riding.
"I've ridden some good horses. I mean when Reliable Man won the Queen Elizabeth that was an amazing victory and I wasn't sure I was going to feel that again,” Bowman said.
"It's just great to be riding such a supreme athlete – it's something you dream of as a jockey.
"There's a lot of respect given to Winx by not only myself and Chris (Waller – trainer) but all the people we're racing against.
"And it's the same respect that I gave Lonhro when I was riding against him or Black Caviar.
"That's very special but on a personal level it's just amazing, a great experience, it comes with its responsibility and I don't take that for granted.”
As Winx bids for her 11th consecutive win in Saturday's Group II Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) at Randwick, Bowman is under no illusions about the vagaries and unpredictability of horse racing.
"I've been around long enough to know that you don't take anything for granted. You don't ever feel like you have a win at your mercy, in any way, shape or form,” Bowman said.
"I prepare for her like I would in any other race and I go in there to give her every chance to perform. Although the reality is that my confidence levels when I ride her are quite a bit higher than most other times.”
