Roman Emperor

HUGH Bowman, winner of the inaugural Bart Cummings Medal, is linking with racing's living legend in a bid to finally ride in a Melbourne Cup this spring.

The champion jockey has retained the mount on Cummings' top stayer Roman Emperor in the Group Two $150,000 Hill Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens tomorrow.

Bowman, Sydney's reigning premier jockey, is hopeful he stays on Roman Emperor this spring, allowing him to achieve a career ambition and have his first Melbourne Cup ride.

"Roman Emperor has got my weight in the Cups,'' Bowman said. "I've told the stable I'm available to ride the horse in the Melbourne Cup if they want me.''

Bowman had been booked to ride Randwick and Rosehill Guineas winner Metal Bender in the Cups this spring but that horse broke down in training last month. Then the Roman Emperor mount became available when Jim Cassidy elected to stay with Vision And Power in the Chelmsford Stakes and again in the Hill Stakes.

Start of sidebar. Skip to end of sidebar.
.End of sidebar. Return to start of sidebar.
Cassidy had ridden Roman Emperor in his AJC Australian Derby triumph last autumn. Bowman partnered the Cummings stayer in the Chelmsford and was impressed with his closing fifth behind rising star O'Lonhro.

"Roman Emperor's effort at Randwick last start was very encouraging. He's heading the right way,'' Bowman enthused.

Bowman has good reason to stick with the Cummings stable as the Hall of Fame trainer has won an extraordinary 12 Melbourne Cups.

The great trainer wants to make it a baker's dozen of Melbourne Cups and rates Roman Emperor and last year's winner Viewed, who is running in the Group One $350,000 Underwood Stakes at Caulfield tomorrow, as his best chances this year.

Cummings used the Hill Stakes to get champion Saintly back to winning touch on his way to a memorable Melbourne Cup success in 1996.