Victory in the Queensland Oaks aboard Duais has put Hugh Bowman in sight of an important milestone.

If Bowman can steer Port Louis to victory in the J J Atkins Stakes (1600m) at Eagle Farm on Saturday it will be the champion rider’s 100th success at the highest level.

After Duais’ win in the Queensland Oaks last Saturday, Bowman has 94 Group 1 wins in Australia along with four in Hong Kong and one in Japan.

With three Group 1’s remaining, Bowman said he would like to get the milestone out of the way before season’s end.

Besides the J J Atkins, the Stradbroke Handicap (1400m) is also run on Saturday with the Tatt’s Tiara (1400m) at Eagle Farm on June 26 the final of the season.

The weight scale for Saturday’s Stradbroke does not allow for Bowman to have a ride this year.

But Bowman has faith in the Ciaron Maher & David Eustace-trained Port Louis to bring up the milestone after the two-year-old finished third in the Group 2 Sires’ Produce Stakes (1400m) at Eagle Farm on May 29.

“At the 100 metres when I came through the pack at Eagle Farm last start, I thought he had the race in his keeping, bit he just peaked on his run,” Bowman told RSN.

“It’s going to be a good race, an open race. I think there’s probably three to five genuine winning chances with Port Louis being one of them.”

Bowman is hoping for a nice barrier in Tuesday’s barrier draw.

“Surely, I’m due for a better marble in a big race,” Bowman said.

“He went right back in the Champagne Stakes (at Randwick) from the outside barrier and he was exceptional in running fifth and he was good the other day.

“If he can draw a marble, he can sit midfield and make his job a lot easier.”

Article from JustHorseRacing.com.au