Racing: Hugh's great aspirations

Hugh Bowman and Savabill. Photo / Sarah Ivey

Don't be surprised if Hugh Bowman returns from his overseas working holiday with a spring in his step.

The top jockey, who won the Sydney premiership in 2008/09, has revealed a surprising ambition to ride over the hurdles and it may happen as soon as next week.

Bowman, who rode three winners on the flat at Salisbury and Doncaster racecourses in England last weekend, is trying to get a clearance to ride in a jumps race at Newton Abbey, in England's southeast, on Monday.

"I've actually got a good friend who's got a hurdler that won at 80-1 that's running at Newton Abbey on July 4 so I'm just looking in to see if I can't get a licence to go over the sticks," Bowman said.

"It's something I've always thought I'd like to have a go at."