Hugh Bowman is weighing up whether to undergo surgery or keep his Hong Kong International Races (HKIR) hopes alive with a short-term solution, after scans revealed the top Australian jockey has a labral tear in his right hip.

The 46-year-old faces at least four months out of the saddle if he opts for surgery, but a cortisone injection would only force him out of action for a few weeks.

Bowman rode at the season opener at Sha Tin on September 6, guiding Joyful Joy to victory, but was forced out of the saddle when the hip issue flared the following day.

“It appears I do have to have surgical treatment. It’s just a case of whether I have that now, but I’m weighing up my options,” Bowman said.

“I can have the cortisone injection and be back sooner, but it will wear off eventually. I’m booked in for the cortisone injection on Monday, so I have until then to make the call.

“I want to get on with it, too. If we go down the surgical route, that’s got to be organised as well, so while I’ve got a bit of time on my hands, I thought I’d explore that option and see the logistics of that.

“I’d be looking at a four or five month recovery period for that, which means I’m back for the bulk of the second half of the season.”

Bowman, who has finished runner-up to Zac Purton in the Hong Kong jockeys’ championship the past two seasons, said he “couldn’t walk” the day after riding at the season opener.

He said the injury was a result of “wear and tear” from 30 years in the saddle, but the issue worsened late last season.

“It happened in May – I had a severe groin pain and I went to get some scans done, and they said ‘it’s not your groin, it’s your hip’,” Bowman said.

“I’ve been able to manage it with physio and medication. Obviously the lack of race fitness and condition magnified the pressure into the affected area or stressed area on that first day of racing.

“The hardest thing is riding because of the position we’re in. I’m not in much pain now, it’s just a bit uncomfortable. It’s been frustrating, but it is what it is.”

Bowman will keep his hopes of riding at the city’s showpiece HKIR meeting in December alive if he opts for a cortisone injection.

He has potentially two major HKIR contenders in last season’s Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) hero Invincible Ibis, and Group One Champions Mile winner My Wish, should trainer Mark Newnham decide to split the pair up.

Luke Ferraris is expected to replace Bowman on Invincible Ibis when he returns in the Group Three Celebration Cup (1,400m) at Sha Tin on September 27.