Bow Creek onto Australian Cup after Peter Young Stakes win

The John O’Shea trained English import Bow Creek will now head to the Australian Cup after scoring an impressive win in the Group 2 $200,000 Crown Golden Ale Peter Young Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield today.

Bow Creek wins the 2016 Peter Young Stakes on Blue Diamond Stakes Day at Caulfield. Photo: Ultimate Racing Photos

In a wide betting race Bow Creek was sent out as the $5 top pick and favourite backers had their hearts in their mouth when he walked out of the barriers, three lengths behind the second last horse.

But Damien Oliver wasn’t perturbed and settled Bow Creek midfield before weaving his way through the field in the straight to record an easy one and a half lengths win in the end over Fenway ($7) and the early leader Mourinho ($15).

“He has an electric turn of foot and has the acceleration of a top class horse,” Oliver said.

“He walked out of the gates but I was then able to take up a sort of midfieldish position on the fence.”

“When you are riding a horse that has the acceleration of this horse, you can ride them with a bit of confidence knowing that if any gaps that come you are going to take it quickly.”

O’Shea’s Melbourne representative David Charles said that Bow Creek will now head towards Group 1 $1.5m Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 12.

“Ollie gave him a great ride, and that is what you expect from a top jockey like him,” Charles said.

“He has really adapted to the Australian way of racing.”

“The plan is to head to the Australian Cup if he pulls up well and this is the traditional path to take.”

The English import will now start as one of the favourite for the Australian Cup.

2016 Peter Young Stakes Results