"Bromance" might too strong a word for it given Chris Waller's completely understandable jockey promiscuity.
When you have as many runners per race as Sydney's champion trainer does, its handy to have decent relationships with as many top line pilots as you can: you never know when you are going to need half a dozen or more in one big race.
But there is no doubt that there is something special going on between the 41-year-old Kiwi, who seems intent on setting new racing records every season and Sydney's champion jockey, Hugh Bowman.
The duo combined at the weekend to land an interstate Group One double with the filly Winx in the Epsom Handicap at Randwick and Preferment in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington and the mutual admiration between the pair was plain to see.
Bowman has ridden plenty of winners for Waller in the past, but he has had to take his turn alongside the other big names in the Sydney weighing room. On Sunday Waller made it clear that he believes the 35 year old from Mudgee, the reigning Sydney premier, is a special talent indeed.
"I think he is maturing as a jockey," says Waller.
"He's always been fantastic. Our relationship is maturing as well. A young trainer puts a lot of stress on their jockeys. Its how you handle it.
"I find a jockey like Hugh Bowman, I don't need to give him instructions. I quickly ran out (before the start of Sunday's Turnbull Stakes) just to say basically good luck before the race.
"I said to him "have you got it sorted" and that was it. I think the more you burden jockeys (the harder it becomes). They are under enough pressure as it is, just let them have a free reign. But they have got to be good enough to be able to do that, and Hugh Bowman is."
Bowman himself acknowledges that his relationship with the master trainer, who has landed the last five Sydney premierships, is deepening and broadening.
"Like any relationship we have had our ups and downs. I wouldn't say its a love hate relationship but we are getting on well. At the end of the day we have trust with one another and when you have got trust you have got everything," the jockey said as he reflected on a successful and lucrative weekend for the trainer who has supplied 6 of his last 11 metro winners, including two Group One races, two Group twos and a Group three.
Bowman puts his great recent record down to his mental state and application.
"My focus is better than its been. More consistent, maybe not better," he quickly corrects himself. "When I am focussed I am focussed, but I think being a bit older, more mature, I am being more consistent. "
However there are serious question marks about how long this affair may last during the upcoming spring carnival as Bowman faces a possible suspension which could rub him out of major race meetings and leave Waller searching for another suitor in the saddle.
Bowman is the subject of an adjourned inquiry in Sydney expected to be heard later this week as stewards scrutinise his use of an elbow on rival Blake Shinn in the Epsom Handicap, which he won on Winx.
Whatever happens, however, the Waller/Bowman partnership will be able to continue at Caulfield this Saturday where the champion rider will, amongst other mounts, partner the hot favourite for the Caulfield Guineas, Press Statement for the leading Sydney handler.
** The Godolphin galloper Magic Hurricane was lumped with a 2.5kg Cups penalty after his clear cut win in Sydney's premier staying race The Metropolitan at Randwick on Saturday.
The John O"Shea trained six-year-old was originally handicapped with 50kg for the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, but now has 52.5kg, which should make it easier for him to get a place in the field.
The winner of The Bart Cummings at Flemington on Sunday, Let's Make A Deal, was given a half kilo penalty for her triumph in the 2500 metre staying test. The Nigel Blackiston trained mare was guaranteed a place in the
