Click here to open a Centrebet account and get a FREE $200 bet!

Rawiller's soft spot for Niconero

PERTH, Nov 19 AAP - Weekend Hussler's jockey Brad Rawiller admits to having a soft spot for seven-year-old Niconero who will be chasing his third Group One success in the $1 million Railway Stakes at Ascot.

"This horse kicked it all off for me here in Perth. I rode my first Group One winner on him and from there I really got on a big winning roll," Rawiller told perthracing.com.au.

"Niconero has taken a while to hit his straps this time in and having to carry the big weights hasn't helped his cause either.

"His run in the Emirates was enormous. He was working well before that race, but when we drew wide it was always going to be hard.

"However he never stopped giving and that run should top him right off for the Railway Stakes.

"The other big bonus with Niconero is that he loves it over here at Ascot and he genuinely grows a leg in the west."

The David Hayes-trained Niconero was a solid last-start sixth to All Silent in the Emirates on the last day of the Melbourne Cup carnival.

Niconero won the Group One 2006 Fruit `N' Veg (1800m) at Ascot after finishing third in the Railway Stakes to Belle Bizarre while his other success at the elite level was in the Futurity Stakes (1600m) at Caulfield in March.

The gelding is at $17 in the latest market for the Railway Stakes on Saturday with the Gai Waterhouse-trained Bank Robber retaining favouritism at $4.50.

Latest TAB Sportsbet betting for the Railway Stakes (1600m).-

4.50 Bank Robber

5.50 Rightfully Yours

6.50 Marasco

8.50 Gilded Venom

10.00 Sniper's Bullet

14.00 Majestical

17.00 Famous Roman, Niconero

21.00 Pillar Of Hercules, The Fuzz

26.00 Annenkov, Tarzi

35.00 Grand Nirvana

71.00 Hartleys Dream, Beat The Storm

151.00 I Command (Em)

201.00 Action Pak

AAP TURF gm/

Recent News Articles


Lighthorseman getting ready for autumn Tuesday, 6:14 pm
Regally-bred colt Lighthorseman will be aimed towards next month's Group Two Royal Sovereign Stakes provided he comes through a barrier trial at Rosehill on Friday unscathed.
Turffontein all set for New Zealand Group One Tuesday, 5:48 pm
Turffontein has confirmed his trip to New Zealand for the Group One Telegraph Handicap with a win in a barrier trial at Cranbourne.
Moonee Valley to cut 23 jobs Tuesday, 5:31 pm
The Moonee Valley Racing Club (MVRC) will cut 23 full time jobs under an organisational restructure to be implemented over the next two months.
Begg puts his hand up at Rosehill Tuesday, 5:27 pm
Handsupfordetroit showed Grahame Begg enough in defeat last start to suggest he is black-type material and the trainer is expecting his quality to shine through at Rosehill on Saturday.
Barrier puts smile on Birchley's face Tuesday, 4:51 pm
A change of luck with the barrier draw has trainer Liam Birchley supremely confident his Magic Millions Classic drought is about to end with unbeaten filly Paprika.
Dale gathering momentum Tuesday, 4:38 pm
Young Canberra trainer Matthew Dale believes his comeback to racing is starting to gain momentum and he is hoping Gathering Light will continue the roll at Randwick on Wednesday.
Black Minx up for sale after Millions Trophy Tuesday, 3:41 pm
It won't be all champagne and celebrations for trainer Mark Webb if Black Minx wins the $1 million Magic Millions Trophy at the Gold Coast.
Paprika draws well for Magic Millions Tuesday, 2:18 pm
Unbeaten Queensland filly Paprika has firmed again for the Magic Millions after drawing barrier six for Saturday's $2 million race at the Gold Coast.
Conners ready to oopen account with Aquanita Tuesday, 2:04 pm
Heath Conners, who joined the Aquanita Racing team on New Year's Day, is buoyant about the chances of consistent gelding Kudeta being his first winner for the Caulfield based operation.
Three jockeys banned for total of eight months Monday, 6:50 pm
Three Victorian jockeys have been suspended for a total of more than eight months after separate post-race incidents at New Year's Day race meetings.
Small entries for Rosehill meeting Monday, 6:12 pm
The Sydney Turf Club has reshuffled its program for Saturday with the recent glut of racing taking its toll on field sizes.
Bowman appeal dismissed Monday, 6:03 pm
Hugh Bowman has lost his appeal against the severity of a two-month suspension for careless riding in an incident in which three horses fell and their three jockeys were injured.
Sydney youngsters backed to win Millions Monday, 6:00 pm
Two Sydney-trained horses have figured in Magic Millions plunges as punters continue to shun unbeaten Queensland filly Paprika in latest pre-post betting.
Stripper's career comes to an end Monday, 5:57 pm
Stakes winning filly Stripper has been prematurely retired after being diagnosed with a degenerative respiratory problem.
Heresay chance for Rubiton Monday, 5:26 pm
Trainer John Moloney won't decide until late nominations close whether in-form sprinter Heresay has his first crack at weight-for-age in the Rubiton Stakes.
El Segundo closer to comeback after trial Monday, 5:18 pm
Multiple Group One winner winner El Segundo has moved closer to making a comeback from injury after contesting a trial at Cranbourne.
Princess Coup retired Monday, 4:52 pm
Outstanding New Zealand mare Princess Coup has been retired due to ongoing tendon problems.
Hong Kong apprenticed hailed as rising star Monday, 4:29 pm
The Australian trainer who helped launch the career of prodigious Hong Kong riding talent Matthew Chadwick says the apprentice is destined to become an international star.
Feedback deadline extended for country clubs Monday, 4:13 pm
Victoria's country race clubs now have until the end of February to respond to the recently released controversial Directions Paper.
First yearling sale of 2009 Sunday, 7:10 pm
Around 70 international buyers are expected on the Gold Coast this week for the first yearling sale since the global economic crisis hit late last year.