Australia: Polly Grey favored in handicap
Polly Grey finished fifth in her first try at 1 1/4 miles at Flemington Racecourse in Australia on July 18, but the loss was probably not a true indication of her ability at the distance.
Polly Grey was checked in traffic behind a slow pace in the first half of the race and was only beaten 1 3/4 lengths.
The overall performance, combined with a second in the Group 2 Japan Trophy at Tauranga Racecourse in New Zealand in March, should make Polly Grey a slight favorite in a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Moonee Valley Racecourse in Australia on Saturday.
Polly Grey, trained by Chris Waller, will be ridden for the first time by Damian Lane, who recently returned to Australia after riding in Japan. Lane will have his first day of racing in Australia on Saturday since late March. Last year, Lane rode Japanese Horse of the Year Lys Gracieux to three stakes wins.
Polly Grey will carry 123 pounds, nine less than topweight Mahamedeis, a proven stayer who is making a quick turnaround following a win by 2 1/4 lengths as the 3-2 favorite in a race at about 1 1/2 miles at Caulfield on July 25.
Last September, Mahamedeis was second at 25-1 in the Group 2 Feehan Stakes at a mile at Moonee Valley, his best performance in seven group race appearances. Mahmedeis has won 9 of 36 starts in his career and is trained by Nick Ryan, whose stable won with 4 of 15 runners from July 1 through Wednesday.
The distance suits Mirimar, who won a handicap at 1 1/4 miles at Caulfield on June 27 for his second win in his last four starts. Mirimar will carry 126.7 pounds.
The Moonee Valley program begins at 10:35 p.m., Eastern, or 7:35 p.m., Pacific, on Friday. Wagering is available through DRFBets.com.
Jockey Bowman suspended
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Hugh Bowman, the regular rider of the famous mare Winx, has been suspended six weeks for his role in an incident that led to a spill at Rosehill Gardens Racecourse in Australia on July 25.
Bowman was cited for careless riding aboard Smart Image, who won a six-furlong handicap but drifted out early in the race, causing Hot ‘N’ Hazy to clip heels and fall. Hot ‘N’ Hazy sustained a fatal injury.
Jockey Andrew Adkins, who rode Hot ‘N’ Hazy, sustained several injuries, including a collapsed lung, broken ribs and a broken collarbone. Adkins remains hospitalized.
Bowman’s suspension took immediate effect and runs through Sept. 10. The jockey was said to have contacted Adkins to apologize for the incident, according to published reports in Australia.
Bowman was tied for 14th in the jockey standings at tracks in the state of New South Wales through Thursday and ranked fourth in purse earnings.
Bowman, 40, rode Winx to 31 victories in her 33-race winning streak from 2015 to early 2019.