Popular horseman Gary Bowen is somewhat disappointed he couldn’t train Karrakatta Plate contender and his home bred filly Baby Paris from his home base in Kalgoorlie, but he knows for certain she is in good hands with Colin Webster in Perth.
“I would have loved to have trained her here (Kalgoorlie), but we don’t have the facilities, you need trials and you need to work with other horses all the time to educate babies,” Gary Bowen told The Races WA.
“I’ve been mates with Colin Webster for god knows how long and I never hesitated sending her to Colin, you know.
“He’s a great trainer, a great man, a great gentleman, a great horse trainer, great wife, great family, a beautiful man.
“He commands so much respect from everyone because he just does everything right.”
Baby Paris is currently rated an $18 Karrakatta Plate hope with Tabtouch and despite Amelia’s Jewel stifling betting, Bowen believes she is a silly chance to cause an upset.
Her late bid to qualify for the Karrakatta Plate was cemented at low key midweek meeting at Ascot, but her performance on debut caught the eye.
She went into her first official outing off the back of a sizzling 400m trial win where she disposed of Karrakatta Plate rival, Street Parade and stopped the clock at 22.80sec.
Displaying raw ability and speed, Baby Paris, a daughter of Playing God, led from start to finish for jockey Peter Knuckey and showed there was plenty of upside with a 1 ¼ length victory.
“I watched the replays of Simon Miller’s (Amelia’s Jewel) and I’d say if we ran second I would be quite happy,” Bowen said.
“But I think we will go forward and if we are able to get an easy lead or get in the box seat, she (Amelia’s Jewel) might be travelling five deep.
“In those two-year-old races they don’t stop, they just keep running because that’s what they are bred to do.
“I think from the draw it’s brought the others into it and I think we are a silly chance.”
Baby Paris’ preparations for the Karrakatta Plate hit a hurdle earlier this week with jockey Peter Knuckey hit by covid’s health and safety protocols.
Bowen says he feels disappointed for the veteran rider who has been Baby Paris’ regular companion and identified her budding talent from early on.
“Right from day one Knuckey said this is something,” Bowen said.
“It’s terrible he can’t ride her.
“I don’t think he’s missed one day of track work on her.
“He’s ridden her every day and now this happens.”
Baby Paris has drawn barrier six in the Karrakatta Plate. Jerry Noske is the replacement rider.