Hugh Bowman is confident he is on the pick of owner Lloyd Williams’s two Metropolitan runners as he chases his first victory in the Sydney staying feature at Randwick on Saturday.
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Bowman has been the regular partner of Victorian Mourayan whenever he has come to Sydney and has combined with that horse for Group One success.
But despite Mourayan’s presence in Saturday’s race, it is stablemate Seville who Bowman has pinned his hopes on with Kerrin McEvoy to partner the former.
“With Mourayan it was a bit of a late decision for them to bring him up for the race,” Bowman said.
“I’ve ridden Mourayan a lot and I’ve had a good association with him.
“But I’d like to think I’m on the better chance.
“Seville is one of the class runners of the race.”
A European import, Seville finished a slashing second to Green Moon in the Turnbull Stakes last spring but Melbourne Cup hopes for him were dashed because of a virus.
He has had three runs this campaign, the most recent a midfield performance behind Mr O’Ceirin in a leader-dominated Naturalism Stakes (2000m).
He was Group One-placed over 2400m in France and Ireland and Bowman expects Seville to appreciate the step up to that trip in the Metropolitan.
“He’s got excellent credentials and he is getting to a distance that is suitable,” Bowman said.
“His form has been good considering he’s been short of his best distance.
“The mile and a half will be right up his alley.”
Also giving Bowman confidence is the record of Williams-owned horses in the country’s major staying races.
Williams won the Melbourne Cup with Green Moon last spring and added the Sydney version with Mourayan in the autumn.
Bowman has no doubt Seville will be superbly prepared for his assignment on Saturday.
“His (Williams’) horses come into their own over these distances,” Bowman said.
“He identifies staying types of horses and he targets them to run in these races.”
A field of 15 accepted for the Metropolitan including Julienas and Danas Best who will be striving to give Gai Waterhouse her ninth win in the race.