He might have hit the milestone of 100 Group 1 victories on Saturday, but the fire in Hugh Bowman's belly is still ablaze as he immediately set his sights on one of the few races which has evaded him.
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The Dunedoo product and champion jockey secured another memorable moment on Saturday when taking out the $750,000 Metropolitan with Montefilia at Royal Randwick.
Bowman has come a long way since riding on the picnic circuit in the state's west as a teenager during his school holidays but there's still plenty he wants to achieve.
He's yet to win the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup and the same goes for the $15,000,000 Everest, which will be run on October 16.
"It is amazing," Bowman said after Saturday's win.
"I've won some wonderful races that haven't made it into that 100 as well and one that does exclude it is The Everest so we're going to try and do that this year."
The only downside to Saturday's victory was it came in front of no fans at Randwick.
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"It really is a bit of a dampener," he said.
"It's great we're racing but the people and the fans and racegoers on these big days, in particular, make the atmosphere what it is.
"It doesn't feel the same without them."
As much as he's focused on more success, Bowman did take a moment to reminisce while talking after the win with Montefilia.
The wait for the 100th Group 1 had been a long one, with victory 99 coming with Duais in the Queensland Oaks back in June.
Saturday's win was the second Group 1 victory for the jockey with Montefilia but that combination is some way off the famed record Bowman had with Winx.
"I must admit it's a great milestone and I've very proud to achieve it," Bowman said.
"Obviously there's one horse involved in one-quarter of those 100 victories so that in itself is amazing.
"I've had a wonderful career and hopefully there's still some good years ahead. There has been a little bit readjustment since Winx retirement and I think it's shown in my riding but I'm really trying my best to regain the momentum that I was accustomed to.
"I don't feel I'm there yet but this race is certainly a step towards that so I'm very proud."
For Bowman, who started out as an apprentice in Bathurst and rode his first winner in 1999, victory in the Japan Cup with Cheval Grand in 2017 stands out outside of his tremendous record with Winx.
"It's hard to compare anything to any of her wins," Bowman said of Winx.
"But the Japan Cup certainly comes to mind because of the sacrifice made by family to go over there and we threw caution to the wind to go over there and try and make something happen.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
