Nash Rawiller makes premiership charge with Rosehill treble
Nash Rawiller and Waterford (outside) get the better of Iknowastar
Champion jockey Nash Rawiller has boosted his Sydney premiership claims and Waterford put himself onto the feature race trail after they combined for an exciting win at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday.
Waterford was conceding dashing front-runner Iknowastar a considerable start from the turn but he finished powerfully to catch his rival near the line in the Vale Lonhro Handicap (1500m).
Rawiller completed a hat-trick of wins with Waterford the middle leg of his treble that included Hard To Say and Let'srollthedice.
He also rode a brace at Randwick's Anzac Day meeting and is now on 65 city wins for the season, just three wins behind leader, James McDonald, who is trying to win a sixth consecutive title.
Waterford runs down Iknowastar in the Vale Lonhro Hcp, with @nashhot riding a double!@aus_turf_club@cwallerracingpic.twitter.com/tCrgTBjDF4
- SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 27, 2024
"The premiership is something I would love to win again, particularly at my age (49) and after winning my third title 10 years ago," Rawiller said.
"At this stage, I was planning to have some time off in July but if I'm a chance for the premiership I will be going hard to try and win it."
Rawiller said he will ride in Brisbane on Saturdays during the winter carnival where he is likely to team up again with Waterford ($3.60) after he mowed down Iknowastar ($3 favourite) to win by three-quarters of a length with St Lawrence ($11) a length away third.
Waterford settled midfield and enjoyed the fast tempo before Rawiller took the gelding wide to make his run from the 600m.
"We had a bit of room around us and it enabled him to come into the race when he was ready," Rawiller said.
"Once we got out to the better part of the track he really towed me into the race.
"He gave me a really good feel today, it was an impressive effort to win and he's in for a good preparation."
Waterford, who began his race career in England, is owned by a high-profile syndicate that includes leading owners Max Whitby, Neil Werrett, and Francis and Christine Cook, plus media identity Richard Callander and Penrith Panthers chief executive Brian Fletcher.
"We've always thought he was a good horse," Fletcher said. "Hopefully, he's in for a good preparation."
The Chris Waller-trained Waterford was first-up from a spell and scored his fifth career win from 17 starts, taking his prizemoney to over $660,000.
Waller wasn't on track at Rosehill on Saturday but stable representative Charlie Duckworth said it was encouraging to see Waterford win so impressively.
A thrilling finish at Rosehill and Let'srollthedice 🎲 is the winner, giving @nashhot a treble!@aus_turf_club@DOBrienRacingpic.twitter.com/S7ESbeZhLB
- SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) April 27, 2024
"Waterford hasn't been the most straight-forward horse but he's got ability and he was brilliant today," Duckworth said.
"Nash is riding very well and with the horse being first-up at 1500m, he was conservative from the soft draw.
"In the straight, the horse dug deep when he had to because the runner-up is no slouch."
Duckworth admitted the stable is still trying to determine what Waterford's best distance range is.
"I'll leave that to Chris to work out," Duckworth said.
"But there are plenty of opportunities for this horse. He's in for an exciting preparation, no doubt."
Waller's immediate options for Waterford include the Group 2 $500,000 Hollindale Stakes (1800m) at the Sunshine Coast on May 11 or the Listed $200,000 Scone Cup (1600m) at Scone on May 17.
As Waterford is a five-year-old, he is not eligible for the $500,000 The Coast (1600m) at Gosford on May 11 as the race is restricted to three and four-year-olds.
But The Coast seems an ideal target for the Bjorn Baker-trained Iknowastar who did his own "Pride Of Jenni impersonation" at Rosehill by trying to run his rivals ragged.
Iknowastar was still well clear inside the final 200m but could not withstand Waterford's irresistible late surge.
Baker, who narrowly missed a winning treble after his earlier successes with Highlights and Disneck, said Iknowastar will be further improved after two runs from a spell.
"I thought he ran a very brave race," Baker said.
"We will look at The Coast, he might prove hard to catch around Gosford."
Share your thoughts