Leading jockey Nash Rawiller has revealed that he is excited to get his first opportunity on the ‘new’ Boban in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
Nash Rawiller will partner Boban in the Expressway Stakes and Law in the Adaptra Handicap at Royal Randwick this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart
Rawiller steered Boban to victory when he won the Gallipoli Handicap (1300m) at Warwick Farm on April 25 last year, but has not ridden the son of Bernardini since he stamped himself as a star of Australian racing with his wins in the Group 1 Epsom Handicap (1600m) and the Group 1 Emirates Stakes (1600m) during the 2013 Spring Racing Carnival.
Boban’s regular jockey Glyn Schofield is currently serving a five week suspension and Rawiller told Sky Racing HQ this morning that he was happy to have picked up the ride on such a quality galloper in the Expressway Stakes this afternoon.
“I haven’t this preparation, but I had a little bit to do with him at the start of his career; I think I won a mediocre type race on him at Warwick Farm one day, which was nice and impressive,” Rawiller said.
“I trialed him before he ran first-up last preparation and I thought that he had taken a quantum leap.
“Obviously his form went on to suggest that and I had the opportunity to sit inside him on the mare Red Tracer and I was quite impressed with how he performed.”
Rawiller has a strong book of rides at Royal Randwick today and he will partner Golden Slipper contender Law in the Adaptra Handicap (1000m).
Law impressed Rawiller with his performance in a barrier trial over 728 metres at Royal Randwick on January 3, but the premiership winning jockey admitted that he was not particularly happy with the performance of the Denman colt in his second barrier trial over 1044 metres at Randwick on January 16.
“He jumped well again and I elected to take a sit,” Rawiller said of Law’s performance in the second trial.
“To be honest once I did get cover I wish I hadn’t because they slowed right up on us and it wasn’t what I wanted.
“It was a good education for him and he took the gap in the straight.
“Gai horses in their second trial can be a little bit average and that is how he trailed, but his work since has been terrific.
“He is a highly promising horse and I am looking forward to riding him.”
Both Boban ($2.40) and Law ($1.60) are clear favourites for their respective races at Royal Randwick this afternoon.
