Hugh Bowman spoke highly of star import Anthony Van Dyck after a Friday track gallop, getting a feel of the topweight ahead of Saturday’s 2020 Caulfield Cup (2400m).
The champion rider was excited to see the caliber of runners that the Aidan O’Brien team had brought out for this year’s Spring Carnival, and thinks that if they are successful this spring, it will pave the way for more top liners to come out in the future.
“It’s rare to see the very top-class European middle-distance stayers come over here for our signature races and the fact that Aidan O’Brien and the Ballydoyle operation have decided to bring such a high-class horse over here, I think just shows how well our racing industry is going on the world stage.
“I am sure if this horse can at the very least run well and show that they can come and do it over here, we might see some more come because the prizemoney here is just extraordinary and I think it’s just a great advertisement for just how healthy racing is here in Australia.”
Aidan O’Brien’s Anthony Van Dyck stretches the legs this morning at the @tabcomau International Horse Centre in preparation for tomorrows Group 1 $5 million @StellaArtois #CaulfieldCup, with star jockey @HugeBowman!@MelbRacingClub pic.twitter.com/unzyVHTamp
— Racing Victoria (@RacingInsider) October 15, 2020
Bowman isn’t too concerned with the wide draw thanks to Anthony Van Dyck’s tactical versatility, but is more worried about the potential of rain overnight.
“I actually see it [the barrier] as not too much of a negative because of his racing style and it might pan out to be a bad draw and it might pan out to be a good draw, so we’re not going to worry too much about that.”
“There is a bit of rain forecast tonight and I am not sure I want to see too much of that as this horse’s form is best on top of the ground so let’s hope the rain forecast might be wrong if it blows over,” Bowman said.
“I don’t mind a little bit, but I don’t want a wet track.”
He thinks that his biggest rival in the Caulfield Cup is favourite Verry Elleegant, especially if the rain comes.
“I think I had have to say Verry Elleegant, which is a bit of an obvious choice but again we are talking about the forecast,” he said. “If that rain doesn’t come, she’s going to find it uphill. I think she needs cut in the ground.
Anthony Van Dyck is currently $7.50 for the Caulfield Cup.
