On the Monday just gone, we had the trials at Camperdown. Trials always give hope for the future and this set at Camperdown were no exception, with a few two year olds having their first jump out.
We race at our home base Warrnambool on Friday where Urban Armour is primed for his debut. After being purchased at the Melbourne Premier Sale two years ago, this son of Makfi will improve the more he races, but don’t be surprised should he put his best foot forward on Friday. Nashville Sound and Annalysium also have been nominated for Warrnambool and as both like wet ground, they will both be in their respective races up to their ears. Come Friday night, Roddandtodd will be racing at Cranbourne. This gelding has been going nicely without putting the score on the board and should again run an honest race come Friday night.
Bendigo hosts a Metro meeting on Saturday, and it is the new stable acquisition Labuan Star that will carry our hopes. This horse has already won seven races, and all going well he will take his place in the Wangoom Handicap in a few weeks’ time.
On Sunday we cross the border to South Australia where we will see the ever consistent Favonski run at Penola. Come Monday, the show moves to Hamilton where Day On The Drink should be more than competitive after his recent run of good form. After a win and two 2nds this preparation, he again has his hoof on the till in a more than suitable race. 
It is a busy end to the week, but we wouldn’t have it any other way! ​

At Avoca on Saturday, Bel Robbie (Bel Esprit x Racy Alice) returned to the winner’s circle with a very exciting victory. Despite the leader in the 1100m race having a charmed run, and Bel Robbie being the chaser – not to mention the favourite having the sit on the pair storming home; Bel Robbie put her head down on the line and the rest is history.
Being by Bel Esprit will probably see this mare spending most of her time in the upcoming sprint races. Bel Esprit mares generally hold their form so it looks as if it might be a very good preparation for her with plenty of fun to be had by her connections.
Congratulations to Declan Bates for managing to get Bel Robbie to stick her head out on the line in the knick of time. Declan is riding in fantastic form and there is no one more deserving. Well done also to this mare’s proud owners. 
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While at DJ Bowman Racing, we don’t have a Golden Slipper runner this year – it is not out of the realm of possibility, we might have one next year. Over the last ten years, the average price for the yearlings that went through a sales ring, that ended up being Slipper winners was around $127,000. Yes, that is an extraordinary amount of money, but that number is diluted somewhat by Pierro who sold for $230,000 and Vancouver who went under the hammer for $185,000.
But considering that after winning the Slipper, Vancouver and Pierro were sold to stud for somewhere in the vicinity of $50 million dollars each, their price tag seems almost redundant.
Yes, this is wishful think on our part. But we have three runners nominated to run at Terang on Friday. If all three were to win, the total amount of prize money would be less that 1% of what the Slipper winner will pocket on Saturday. Add to that, the fact that should you be lucky enough to get a colt into the race, and should that colt win… as well as the $3.5 million in prize money you would receive, your colt would instantly be valued at much more than $25 million dollars.  
In racing our only choice is to dream big. Who doesn’t think of a Golden Slipper, or Caulfield Cup or even a Melbourne Cup when they enter into a horse? In the stable at the minute we have a Star Witness colt, and a Spirit of Boom colt. Both have been knocked down to us, and both at this stage have a chance to be in the 2020 Golden Slipper and acquire the stud sales fee that accompanies the win! Because horses are only two once, and the Slipper is only for two-year-olds...and what is the old saying…you’ve got to be in it to win it. At this stage (along with 2,000 or so others) we are in it!
Come racing with us, and you just never know! ​

After a good eight months out of the winner’s circle, the talented gelding Begood Toya Mother (Myboycharlie x Lady Of Helena) won with ease at Warrnambool on Thursday.
Despite being up to a few of his old tricks early in the 1300m race, the son of Myboycharlie, guided stylishly by Declan Bates, weaved his way from near enough to last to extend away brilliantly.
Early in the straight, the race looked a forgone conclusion, but from a few years with this boy in the stable, we know he can make a few mistakes in his races. However, he went gun-barrel straight over the last 200m and recorded a dashing final furlong time. He displayed his giant stride, that we knew would be hard to match when he it got it all right as he did on Thursday.
Begood Toya Mother won with such authority, that the stable have already pencilled him in for a Metro start in Adelaide in the coming weeks. Stay tuned to this website for more info on where this gelding is going, as he looks city class and a big track will suit him down to the ground.
Congratulations to Declan Bates on a well-timed ride and a winning treble on the day.
Congratulations also to this gelding’s many connections. He is a horse on the rise and we certainly look to have some fun times ahead.