RACING NSW stewards cleared Hugh Bowman following his ride on Fulminate at Canterbury earlier in the month, reports Racing Network. After resuming its inquiry on Monday, stewards took further evidence from Bowman before closing the matter with no further action.

Stewards, chaired by Marc Van Gestel, opened an inquiry into tactics employed by Bowman on Fulminate when the David Vandyke trained-mare finished second behind Darci Drama.

Stewards focused on two aspects of Bowman’s tactics on the mare – why he took Fulminate back at the start when asked to go forward and why he didn’t improve his position from the 500 metres.

Vandyke voiced his displeasure with Bowman’s ride both during the inquiry and publicly as the jockey did not follow instructions.

Stewards advised Bowman that in their opinion he had erred in not persevering to maintain a position to the outside of My Dear Friend in the early stages which would have enabled Fulminate to take up a more forward position as instructed and in advance of Mossmoney.

Bowman was also advised while in the view of the stewards he should have taken the opportunity to improve from the 500m, however, it was conceded that he was able to fully test his mount from the 300m.

Stewards agreed that being taken wide around the turn may not have resulted in Fulminate finishing closer to Darci Drama at the finish line.

Bowman was advised in the circumstances of the manner in which the race was run whilst Stewards were critical of two areas of his ride that his actions could not be deemed blameworthy.

However he was cautioned that had the event been run at an average tempo, then the Stewards may have well taken a different view of the tactics he adopted and he was advised that he should endeavor at all times to ride his mounts so as to leave no room for query.

Bowman told stewards that the instructions had been to take up a forward position, but not to push the mare as she had previously overraced in similar circumstances.

He added that Fulminate did not jump cleanly, struck trouble and after being caught three deep early elected to take cover as he did not want to risk being caught wide.

Bowman added that Fulminate had to be checked off heels at the 500 metres and with the mare having to shoulder 58.5 kg he elected to ride for luck than endeavor to ask her to go around the field.

He said he did not think Fulminate could sustain such a long run with her weight and that she would have finished any closer.

Fulminate was held up before the home turn and then worked home to finish second.

Van Gestel said stewards looked at the betting on the race, but there was nothing to suggest any impropriety on any bets outside normal parameters.

Bowman received back-to-back suspensions at Randwick and Rosehill last Friday and Saturday. He will resume on Sunday, January 5.