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Champion jockey Hugh Bowman rides Raceway for a stunning debut win at Warwick Farm

8th Jan 2012

The Sunday Telegraph - Ray Thomas - Sunday, 8 January 2012

"I don't know what Nash (Rawiller) is riding in the Golden Slipper!"

This simple statement sums up exactly what impression Raceway made on champion jockey Hugh Bowman after a stunning debut win at Warwick Farm yesterday.

Raceway was slow to begin, trapped wide throughout, and raced greenly yet blitzed his rivals in the Warwick Farm 100 Club Plate (1000m).

Bowman didn't pressure Raceway over the final 100m when the race was safely in their keeping yet the colt recorded a stunning 56.85s for the 1000m - the fastest time any juvenile has recorded for that distance at Warwick Farm.

In fact, Raceway's time compared favourably with Impaler's course record of 56.25s (final 600m in 33.13s) - a stunning achievement for a youngster making its race debut.

"He's the nicest two-year-old I've ridden for quite some time," Bowman said. "He was slow to jump but got straight into stride. He's such a relaxed animal, that won't be a problem.

"I was reluctant to stoke him up early but he overcame that (slow start) with his ability to muster pace and then relax for me.

"The horse makes his own luck, as good horses do! I've had nothing to do with this colt before today but hopefully I'll have a bit more to do with him in future."

Raceway was one of the most impressive two-year-old winners anywhere in Australia this season and Bowman obviously wants to retain the ride if possible.

However, Rawiller is trainer Gai Waterhouse's stable jockey and no doubt will be angling for the ride on the colt when he next races.

Rawiller was out suspended yesterday after his winning ride on Atomic Force in the Group 1 Railway Stakes at Ellerslie last Sunday.

Raceway's ability was well known after an impressive recent barrier trial win but the colt eased on track from $2 to $2.45 favouritism before romping home four lengths clear of Agueda ($7) with another two lengths to early leader Emperor Of Rome ($41).

Waterhouse, who was at the Gold Coast inspecting yearlings yesterday, is having an outstanding season with her juveniles with Raceway her fifth individual winner. She's also won two-year-old races with Pierro (Breeders' Plate), No Looking Back, Pure Hustle and two-time winner Driefontein (Bruce McLachlan Stakes).

Driefontein is one of the favourites for next Saturday's $2 million Magic Millions Classic (1200m) on the Gold Coast and is raced in the same interests as Raceway, with both being purchased by Denise Martin of Star Thoroughbreds.

Martin had to go to $150,000 to secure Raceway at the Sydney Easter Sales last year and the comparisons with the syndicator's 2008 Golden Slipper winner Sebring are irresistible.

Both colts are by More Than Ready out of Flying Spur mares and were bred and sold as yearlings by well-known owner-breeder George Altomonte.

Sebring made his race debut in January four years ago, scoring well before winning his next four races including the Golden Slipper.

Martin has arranged a syndicate for Raceway with many of those who shared in the ownership of Sebring.

"The owners have been waiting for the right colt to name Raceway and it was only last August that the name became available," Martin said. "They have named both colts after Sebring Raceway in America.

"Gai has always had a very big opinion of Raceway. This colt has loads of natural ability and has a lot of improvement in him. It's exciting for all of us."

Picture: Raceway ($150,000 2011 Easter, 2c More Than Ready-Claws)