Bowman tests possible Cup ride at Werribee

Winx’s rider Hugh Bowman has tested European horse Red Cardinal as a possible Melbourne Cup mount.

After riding Winx in her final Turnbull Stakes hit-out at Flemington, Hugh Bowman has travelled to Werribee to test a potential Melbourne Cup mount.

Bowman partnered the Andreas Wohler-trained Red Cardinal in a gallop on Thursday and liked what he felt.

Red Cardinal arrived in Melbourne last weekend and is in quarantine at Werribee racecourse.

Wohler is following the path he took with 2014 Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist by running the Australian Bloodstock-owned Red Cardinal on Saturday week in the Herbert Power Stakes at Caulfield as his lead-up race to the Melbourne Cup.

Bowman won’t be available for the Herbert Power as he will be in Sydney for The Everest meeting at Randwick that day.

“I just wanted to get a feel of the horse as he’s an option for me in the Melbourne Cup,” Bowman said.

“He wasn’t out to do a whole lot this morning but I was very pleased with him.

“He moved well and is a very good looking horse.”

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Bowman will return to Werribee on Saturday morning before riding Winx in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington to test another possible Cup mount, the Hughie Morrison-trained Marmelo.

He has also been offered the ride on Tiberian from Darren Dance of Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock while Lloyd Williams said there was an option of one of his horses.

Bowman said he would make his Melbourne Cup choice as soon as possible.

“People want to know what direction you’re going so I’ll be liaising with the connections of all horses and I’ll be making the decision in time for them to get someone,” Bowman said.

“We’ll canvas our options and see what we come up with.

“It’s a good position to be in and I’m very grateful for the opportunities.

“I want to be fair to everyone as I can only ride one horse.”

The three international stayers are weighted within Bowman’s range of 55kg although he said he could ride at 54.5kg if required.

“Anything below that and I’d pretty much want to know I’m going to win it,” he said.