Top jockey Hugh Bowman is expected to ease his way back into the saddle with early indications pointing to a minimal book of rides at Canterbury on Wednesday.Bowman has been missing from the Sydney scene for a month, leaving Nash Rawiller and Corey Brown to fight out this season's metropolitan premiership.The 2008-2009 premiership winner enjoyed an overseas holiday but he has literally paid a heavy price for his absence from riding with his weight ballooning to 63kg.His early Canterbury mounts i
Top jockey Hugh Bowman is expected to ease his way back into the saddle with early indications pointing to a minimal book of rides at Canterbury on Wednesday.
Bowman has been missing from the Sydney scene for a month, leaving Nash Rawiller and Corey Brown to fight out this season's metropolitan premiership.
The 2008-2009 premiership winner enjoyed an overseas holiday but he has literally paid a heavy price for his absence from riding with his weight ballooning to 63kg.
His early Canterbury mounts include Juveniles, who has been asked to carry 58kg in a 1900-metre race.
Bowman rode in 10 barrier trials at Newcastle on Thursday in his first step towards trimming down to his regular riding weight.
"Give him two to three weeks and Hugh will be able to ride around the 55kg mark," manager Bryan Haskins said.
"He went to Newcastle to get things rolling again and he'll be nice and fresh for the spring."
Bowman has ridden 60 winners in Sydney this season, the same as sidelined hoop Kerrin McEvoy.
He booted home 98 winners last season to land his first Sydney jockeys' title.
The Canterbury meeting has been affected by an eight-metre rail position with field sizes restricted to a maximum 12 starters.