Hat-Trick for Your Song 3YO

Champion jockey Hugh Bowman made a winning return at Randwick on Saturday following a lengthy break, partnering promising Your Song three year-old Sir Elton to his third successive win.

Bowman took time away from racing after The Championships following the retirement of his superstar partner Winx.
The premiership winning jockey last rode on May 1, but wasted little time getting back on the winner's list steering Adam Duggan's rising star to victory.

The unbeaten gelding had won his only two previous starts at Gosford and Wyong and kept up the good work with a front running two length win in the Benchmark 70 event over 1100 metres.

"Nice horse to start off with," Bowman said.

"I don't think he needs it wet to perform well, he's a horse with a bright future.

"I was hoping I wouldn't have to think too much today but I had to make a decision early and he did the job in good style."

Despite drawing awkwardly, Bowman was able to work forward on Sir Elton and did the rest

"What I was so impressed by was the way he went forward, set up a position and came back and relaxed very well,' Bowman said.

"I think that will give him great scope to get over a bit further which will open more doors for him.

"Not only that, the way he let down when I asked him too (was impressive)."

A $175,000 Inglis Premier purchase from the Stonehouse Thoroughbreds draft, Sir Elton was bred by Richard Pegum and has won over $125,000 in winning his first three starts.

He is the second winner from Calpe, a three-quarter sister by Rock of Gibraltar (IRE) to stakes-winner Zac Influence and half-sister to the dam of Singapore Champion Sprinter Zac Spirit. Calpe has a weanling filly by Your Song, so her breeder will be hoping Sir Elton is onwards and upwards next season.

Expect to see more yearlings at sales in 2020 by Your Song as he covered his biggest ever book of mares (183) in 2017 on the back of his excellent first season results that saw him as the leading first season for 2016/2017 sire by winners, ahead of both Pierro and All Too Hard.

Small books of mares in 2015 and 2016 have made it tough for him to keep momentum, but priced at $13,750 this year, Your Song appeals as a stallion with plenty of upside for astute mare owners and covered 96 mares last year.