Hugh Bowman has a strong book of all-weather rides at Sha Tin on Wednesday that includes the consistent Aurora Patch, before he takes the reins on Japanese raider Rousham Park on May 26 in the Group One Champions and Chater Cup (2,400m)

The Hiroyasu Tanaka-trained galloper is a Group Two winner and was a placegetter in the 2024 Group One Osaka Hai (2,000m) and 2024 Group One Breeders’ Cup Turf (2,400m) before running fifth in December’s Group One Hong Kong Cup (2,000m).

Bowman is buoyed by the opportunity to ride an overseas contender when he seeks his third victory in the feature since claiming it with Russian Emperor and Werther.

“It’s always nice to pick up a Japanese horse if the opportunity comes, and obviously being a mile and a half here in Hong Kong, there’s not many to choose from at that level in Hong Kong. So, really excited about that,” Bowman said.

“He ran, I thought, a credible race here in December over the 2,000m and he certainly will be right there when the whips are cracking.”

Aurora Patch will be looking to strike for the fourth time this season, and second with Bowman aboard, in the Class Three Begonia Handicap (1,200m) for Manfred Man Ka-leung.

“He’s going really well, he’s a very consistent horse. He’s got that natural pace and does it comfortably,” Bowman said.

“Drawn a bit wide in barrier 10, but that’s probably not the worst thing for him because he’s not overly sharp in the first few strides, but he likes to build his momentum, so he’ll get time to do that from that draw.

“He’s sort of knocking on the door. He’s probably around his rating, but I think he’s at a rating that he can win at, and I think that’s been proven the last two runs.”

Light Years Glory has had two starts on the all-weather surface for a third and fourth placing – both times under Bowman – and will line up on it again from barrier five in the first section of the Class Four Carnation Handicap (1,200m).

“I wasn’t so sure the first time out, but with the benefit of that run, he showed me the next time that he’s certainly got the credentials to win on this surface and he’s enjoying his racing. He’s drawn really nicely, so he should get a perfect run,” Bowman said.

Bowman will look to adopt similar tactics to last start with the Cody Mo Wai-kit-trained four-year-old.

“I think he’s best sort of travelling, held up a bit. He really likes to travel and I think that’s was why he went better last time. I was held up behind them and then he finished really strongly. So you still need things to go to suit, but he’s a horse you need to conserve his energy.

“The first time I rode him, I think I used his energy a bit upside down, but the second time was better and let’s hope we can improve on that this time.”

Bowman has ridden Allcash once for one win, and will look to repeat the feat when the son of Kentuckian returns to Class Four company in the Chamomile Handicap (1,650m).

“He sort of came here from South America as a dirt horse, but all his runs on the dirt so far have been in Class Three, so back to Class Four, he looks well placed,” Bowman said.

“We’ll probably ride him quiet from barrier 13. He’s proven he can race well ridden that way, but then of course we need the race run to suit us, so we’ll see how we go.”

The John Size-trained Meepmeep always runs on in the finish and no doubt will do the same in the Osmanthus Handicap (1,650m) from an inside gate of two.

“He deserves a win. He’s a quintessential Class Five horse, but he’s got a good barrier. His last two starts he’s drawn a bit awkwardly. He’s a horse that seemingly always puts his best foot forward when he finds the rail,” Bowman said.

“I’ve ridden him a few times now, so I understand his characteristics and he’s certainly going well enough to win the race if the race is run to suit.

“From barrier two, if he can jump and be handy, then I won’t get in his way from doing that, but he’s a horse that does like to travel and fill his lungs with with air, so I won’t be too hard on him in the early stages. But if we can hold a forward or midfield position and just save some energy, he’ll be strong late.”

Mega Captain has trialled impressively at Sha Tin recently for Dennis Yip Chor-hong, winning by four and three-quarter lengths following a disappointing debut on turf, and will run in the third section of the Class Four Carnation Handicap (1,200m).

“He comes here off the back of that good trial. He’s drawn in the middle of the field so it’s going to be a different situation with the race pace than it was in the trial because he got a very comfortable, good rhythm. So if we can emulate that, then he’ll be very hard to beat. He won well and he’s a strong horse, I think he’s ready to bring it to the races,” Bowman said.

Spicy Spangle and Good Luck Babe round out Bowman’s book of rides.

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