Ten years after guiding Winx to the first of her four famous Cox Plate (2,040m) victories, Hugh Bowman returns to Moonee Valley on Saturday to ride for the champion mare’s trainer before turning his attention to the return of Helios Express at Sha Tin.

In what could be a massive weekend for the Hong Kong-based Australian rider, Bowman will team up with the Chris Waller-trained Aeliana in pursuit of a record-equalling fifth success in the Group One Cox Plate before bidding for Group Two Premier Bowl (1,200m) glory aboard Helios Express on Sunday.

Bowman and Winx created history by winning one of Australia’s biggest races four years in a row and the champion jockey can equal Darby Munro’s record of five Cox Plates if successful aboard Aeliana.

The quality mare boasts an impressive record of four wins – highlighted by her Group One ATC Derby (2,400m) romp by five and a quarter lengths in April – and five placings from 13 starts.

“I watched her before I was even booked to ride her,” Bowman said.

“Her ATC Derby win was dominant, she’s clearly got the stamina and there’s no doubt she’s going to be a more furnished commodity this time next year, but at the end of the day, I take a great deal of confidence out of the fact that Chris Waller is running her because, having worked so closely with him and the stable for so many years, I just know that he wouldn’t be going just to have a runner in the race.

“She must be going well enough to be competitive, so without reading into anything else too much, that in itself is enough for me.”

Aeliana is a $7 chance in fixed-odds markets, with Waller’s reigning Cox Plate hero Via Sistina the $2.3 favourite to defend her crown.

The two mares have been evenly matched in three lead-up runs. Aeliana ran a narrow second to Via Sistina in the Group One Winx Stakes (1,400m), then they finished second and third, respectively, in the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes (1,600m) and only half a length separated them last start in the Group One Turnbull Stakes (2,000m).

Bowman said the scratching of expected leader Globe on Thursday “adds more uncertainty” to the A$6 million (HK$30.23 million) feature, which now has only seven runners.

At Sha Tin on Sunday, Bowman is excited about the return of Helios Express but wary of the task the John Size-trained sprinter faces under top weight of 135lb.

Placed four times at Group One level behind superstar Ka Ying Rising last season, Helios Express concedes plenty of weight to his rivals including the in-form Tomodachi Kokoroe (115lb), stablemate Wunderbar (118lb) and Group Three National Day Cup (1,000m) victor Fast Network (124lb).

“It’s very hard for them to do it – it’s proven, history tells you that,” Bowman said of the challenge under top weight.

“But the horse is going very well. I’m really pleased with his last couple of trials. Obviously this is a stepping stone towards later in the season, but he has to start somewhere and he has to carry the full impost.

“So that is what it is, but I couldn’t be happier with the way he’s developing through his campaign and I guess we’ll know more after the weekend as to where he’s at.”

Wellington is the only Premier Bowl winner to overcome 135lb in 2022, while Size’s Mr Stunning (2017) and Able Friend (2015) both won under top weight of 133lb.

Bowman was delighted when Helios Express, who finished last campaign with victory in the Group Three Sha Tin Vase (1,200m), drew barrier two.

“If he drew wide, he’d have to give away a lot of ground because I’d certainly be riding him to finish the race, so from the inside draw I don’t have to go right back,” he said.

“I can just be where he’s comfortable.”