Suspended Rawiller shifts focus to The Golden Eagle
Ruled out of riding in two of the biggest races of the Melbourne spring due to suspension, Nash Rawiller is turning his focus to winning a rich double in Sydney.
The top hoop, who has been in the best form of his career, was outed for careless riding aboard Power Of The Brave at the Randwick-Kensington meeting on Wednesday.
He made the tough call to start the penalty immediately in order to return in time for the Golden Eagle mount on Hawaii Five Oh at Rosehill on November 4, forcing him to forgo the Caulfield Cup ride on Montefilia this weekend and Fangirl in the Cox Plate.
Blake Shinn has picked up the mount on Montefilia, while a jockey is yet to be confirmed for Fangirl.
Rawiller says missing those races on two good chances is a tough pill to swallow.
“This time of year it is very costly, you make a slight mistake in a race like that yesterday and it has cost me an opportunity to win a Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate,” Rawiller told Sky Racing radio.
“It is something that plays heavily on your mind, but we’ve got a job to do and you’ve got to try to keep owners and trainers happy.”
Rawiller partnered Montefilia to her last start win in the Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick and had been wasting to get down to 54.5kg to ride her at Caulfield.
Having captured the Caulfield Cup aboard Elvstroem in 2004, he expected the mare to give the race a shake.
“It sends tingles down your spine the feel they give you those good ones, and she gave me that,” Rawiller said.
“She was too good an opportunity going into the Caulfield Cup not to take.
“It’s just a shame what’s happened.”
While disappointed, Rawiller is keeping his chin up and refocusing on his next goal – the $10 million Golden Eagle (1500m) on Hawaii Five Oh.
He also has also been the regular rider of in-form gelding Cepheus this spring and is looking forward to reuniting with the Matt Dunn galloper in the $3 million Big Dance (1600m) at Randwick on Melbourne Cup Day.
“We’ve still got a couple of bullets to fire,” he said.
More Racing News
Lloyd keeps his cool as Cindy collects Dark Jewel Classic
A composed ride from Zac Lloyd has helped Fall For Cindy post an invaluable Group Three win, the star apprentice keeping his cool despite having to throw the script out the window shortly after the start. Lloyd had hoped to settle the John O’Shea-trained mare in the first half of the field and...
Draw favours Who Dares in The Straight Six
Who Dares has finally lived up to the lofty expectations placed on him winning a Stakes race at Flemington. The Listed Straight Six (1200m) on Saturday fell the way of the heavily supported gelding, prepared at Mornington by Pat Carey and Harris Walker. Sent out the $3.30 favourite under Patrick Moloney, Who Dares scored...
Opal Ridge signals Queensland carnival intentions in Ortensia Stakes
A relieved Luke Pepper will press on to the Queensland winter carnival with renewed confidence after an underdone Opal Ridge maintained her perfect home track record with a classy victory in the Ortensia Stakes at Scone. Pepper admitted to some pre-race anxiety given Opal Ridge hadn’t raced since November, but he banked on...
Bella Nipotina beats I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000
Ciaron Maher has been left to marvel at the tenacity of bonny mare Bella Nipotina, who has overcome a busy travel schedule to upset I Wish I Win in the $1.5 million Doomben 10,000. Kicking off her preparation in Melbourne, Bella Nipotina was narrowly edged out by Chain Of Lightning in the T J...
The Map lands a Melbourne Cup berth
Six months of planning has paid off with The Map earning a ‘Golden Ticket’ into the Melbourne Cup. The Listed Andrew Ramsden Stakes (2800m) at Flemington on Saturday grants the winner a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) in November. Trainers Dan Clarken and Oopy Macgillivray planned their assault on Saturday’s...
Bool battler chasing a Melbourne Cup dream
The self-proclaimed little bogan from the Bool with the bargain battler $5000 horse is chasing the dream of a Melbourne Cup start at Flemington. Patrick Ryan Jnr and his stayer Ferago head to the Listed Andrew Ramsden (2800m) in search of a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington...
Joyful Fortune returns for The Straight Six contest
Former Hong Kong galloper Joyful Fortune is set to renew acquaintances with the Flemington straight in his first run for the Ciaron Maher stable. Joyful Fortune was unbeaten in two starts on the Flemington straight when prepared by Sydney conditioner Mark Newnham. With Newnham now based in Hong Kong, Joyful Fortune will have his...
‘Cheeky’ Attractable ready to roll in the Scone Cup
Attractable has been keeping trainer Sara Ryan on her toes in the lead-up to the Scone Cup and when he is causing mischief on the training track, it usually equates to a bold race day performance. “He’s very much a confidence horse. He thrives off being confident and happy and you know when...
Shall Samuel and Twain meet in the Melbourne Cup?
To breed one Melbourne Cup runner is an achievement, but to have two in the same race from the one family is something not many can boast. But that’s the dream Gail Temperton and Stan Alexander are hoping to realise this year and Samuel Langhorne can take a giant step towards making...
Joe Pride confident Private Eye is on the right track ahead of Doomben 10,000
Private Eye has never raced at Doomben, but Joe Pride is banking on the track giving his charge an advantage over favourite I Wish I Win when they clash in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000. A backmarker with a devastating finish, I Wish I Win is an even-money fancy for Saturday’s Group 1 race, while...