Tyler Schiller out to build 2025 Spring Racing Carnival momentum

Jockey Tyler Schiller is waiting on Team Hawkes’ decision to find out if he will chase his first Group win of the season aboard Devil Night. The Blue Diamond Stakes winner holds acceptances for both the Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill and the McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield.

The colt’s path will be confirmed by Thursday night, and if he stays in Sydney, Schiller will climb aboard for the first time. The ride would mark another milestone in his recovery from a spinal fracture sustained at Canterbury in May after being dislodged pre-race.

“The scans revealed a minor fracture that just required rest but I was very lucky,” Schiller said.

“It could have been a lot worse. If I’d gone head-first a lot more damage could have been done.

“I’m feeling really good. I’ve been back two-and-a-half weeks now and everything is going really well.”

Schiller resumed at Doomben on August 16 before returning to Sydney racing at Randwick, where Gangsta Granny finished a close second to Autumn Glow in the Toy Show Quality (1100m).

Devil Night, trained by the Hawkes team, hasn’t raced since his fifth-place finish in Marhoona’s Golden Slipper (1200m). While Schiller is yet to ride him in a competitive race, he has been aboard in trackwork and is eager for the opportunity.

“I’ve ridden him a couple of times and have jumped him out once. He is definitely an exciting colt,” Schiller said.

“He’s a Group One winner and he’s done his job but there is still plenty left in store for him.

“It’s hard to get a guide on him at trackwork. He is such a competitor that you don’t know how he’s going until race day but he has definitely got improvement in him and the Hawkes team is very happy with him.”

Schiller will also take the reins on Etna Rosso in the Mounties Group Handicap (1500m). The stayer, who ran second in the Brisbane Cup (3200m), is expected to appreciate longer distances but has been effective first-up previously.

“Especially the way a few of Chris’s horses are returning. Some of his stayers have been putting in big runs first-up,” Schiller said.

“If he gets the right run he will be hitting the line strongly.”

Fans looking to bet on Devil Night’s return, whether in the San Domenico Stakes or McNeil Stakes, can compare odds at leading betting sites.