Bowman won his first Newcastle Cup last year aboard the Waller-trained Beyond
Thankful but said Sacred Master has the most scope of the two."It's a race I really tried to win a long time ago,” Bowman told Sky Racing. "My first black-type win was in fact the Wyong Cup and last year I did the double on Beyond Thankful.
"We came a little short on this bloke in the Wyong Cup but he delivered today and I think he's a more progressive horse than Beyond Thankful.”
Sacred Master was tardy leaving the barriers but the classy Bowman managed to have his mount positioned on the rail in a midfield position as the field swung out of the straight the first time.
Bowman made sure he wasn't stuck on the fence as the field closed in on the home turn, easing off before getting his mount to the outside and Sacred Master ground home strongly to score a strong win.
"There was a nice bit of pressure early on and having had a ride on him I was more aware of him,” Bowman said.
"I was aided by a really nice run in transit and he relaxed so well.
"He delivered when it mattered. It will be interesting to see where he goes.”
Sacred Master ($3.70) defeated the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Dee I Cee ($14) by a half-length with a length back to the winner's stablemate Junoob ($9) in third. The $3.40 favourite Singing finished seventh.
The Group I Metropolitan Handicap (2400m) at Randwick on October 1 is a likely next target for Sacred Master and entries for the race close on Monday while he has 50.5kg in the Caulfield Cup but Friday's win makes him eligible for a penalty.
Sacred Master is by Mastercraftsman out of Trickle (by Storm Creek), a half-sister to NZ Group One winner Eileen Dubh.
He is the first foal for his dam who has a yearling by Ekraar and was served last season by Echoes Of Heaven.
