Guy Walter labelled Hugh Bowman the "top rider in the country" after the former Sydney premiership-winning hoop produced a tactically brilliant ride on Streama to win the Group Two Furious Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday.In a race which developed into a sit-and-sprint affair, Bowman positioned Streama ($4.20) up on the pace outside Florentina ($8) in the 1400m fillies feature and she won the sprint home to defeat Florentina by a long head with Detours($7.50) 1-1/2-lengths away third."He's the
Guy Walter labelled Hugh Bowman the "top rider in the country" after the former Sydney premiership-winning hoop produced a tactically brilliant ride on Streama to win the Group Two Furious Stakes at Warwick Farm on Saturday.
In a race which developed into a sit-and-sprint affair, Bowman positioned Streama ($4.20) up on the pace outside Florentina ($8) in the 1400m fillies feature and she won the sprint home to defeat Florentina by a long head with Detours($7.50) 1-1/2-lengths away third.
"He's the top rider in the country in my view," Walter said of Bowman.
"He's won a lot of races for me, a couple of Group One races, he's a great rider and I'm very lucky to have him on."
The winning time in the Furious was 1:25.06 which was four seconds outside the track record, and they sprinted home in 33.63 seconds for the final 600 metres with the top three in running crossing the line in the placings.
"Hugh was pleased that he drew out a bit today because we were a bit concerned about a lack of speed," Walter admitted.
"He summed the race up beautifully and rode a magnificent race and she's a very nice filly."
Streama had returned with a close third in the opening leg of the Princess Series, the Group Three Silver Shadow Stakes (1200m), but was able to turn the tables on Silver Shadow winner Pane In The Glass (fourth) and runner-up Florentina.
Walter is now eyeing the final two legs of the Princess Series - the Group Two Tea Rose Stakes in two weeks and the Group One Flight Stakes on October 1 - with Streama.
"She has won the (Listed) Keith Mackay and won the Furious and been placed in the Sweet Embrace and Silver Shadow from not a lot of starts," Walter said.
"She's a top-line filly.
"She's still got the Tea Rose and the Flight to go and hopefully if we don't overdo her she's going to be a nice filly next autumn as well."
David Payne is also looking to the remainder of the Princess Series with Florentina who has been runner-up in the opening two legs.
"She had to do all the donkey work and she'll be better sitting back," Payne said.
"It was a good effort and now we head on to the other fillies races."
Pane In The Glass ($4.80) wasn't suited by the slow speed but did her best work late to finish fourth while favourite Anise ($3.50) came in fifth.