Schiller rediscovers that winning feeling at Canterbury
Tyler Schiller combined with Team Hawkes for a much-needed win at Canterbury, giving the Johnson family’s yellow and white silks a memorable midweek result.
Schiller partnered lightly raced stayer Tastula to victory on Wednesday and will again sport the same colours aboard Group 1 performer Briasa in Saturday’s The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick.
For Schiller, the win was especially rewarding as he continues his comeback from a fractured T8 vertebrae that kept him out of the saddle for nearly three months earlier this year. Tastula was his first winner since returning six weeks ago.
“Finally. I carved a few corners out of the stone and got the ball moving,” Schiller said.
“Hopefully there are good things to come on the weekend with the colours of the Johnson family. Hopefully Briasa can do the same.”
Tastula, having just his tenth start in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1900m), impressed his rider with a strong staying effort and looks capable of competing at higher levels.
“I took him out at the 500 (metres) and he kept up a really strong gallop to the line,” Schiller said.
“He is definitely Saturday grade in staying company. He got to them quite sharply today from the 200 (metres) and he was floating a bit. I think he’s still got more improvement there.
“He’s a big, rangy horse and he will get further.”
Later on the card, Gerald Ryan produced Snitzel Dancer, a filly who broke through at her first attempt in the TAB Handicap (1250m). Forced to chase early, she showed resilience to overcome fancied rivals Curie and Shangri La Boy.
“She has always shown good promise,” Ryan said.
“When you look at her, she looks like she is going to get better as a later three-year-old but she is a nice filly and goes quite well.
“We will poke around and I reckon the autumn will be her time to shine. A race like the James Carr Stakes.”
For those wanting to back Briasa’s first step on his Everest path in The Shorts, markets are available at Australia’s leading betting sites.
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