Rawiller looking for Group 1 wins in Perth

Leading Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller is looking to ride his initial Group 1 winner for the new season when he travels to Western Australia this weekend for Carlton Draught Super Saturday at Ascot.

Nash Rawiller

Nash Rawiller will ride in both Group 1 races at Ascot this weekend. Photo by: Daniel Costello

The Festival Of Perth Racing this Saturday sees the running of two Group 1 races, the $1m Carlton Draught-Railway Stakes (1600m) and the $500,000 Crown Perth-Winterbottom Stakes (1200m) and Rawiller will be hoping for a victory in one or both.

Rawiller has taken the ride on the Tony Gollan trained Spirit Of Boom in the Winterbottom Stakes after riding the five year old two starts back when second to Fontelina in the Group 2 $300,000 Yellowglen Stakes (1200m) at Flemington on November 3.

And he will team up again with Fat Al for Gai Waterhouse after the Epsom winner was well beaten at his most recent run when ridden by Vlad Duric when twelfth to Happy Trials in the Group 1 $1m Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on November 10.

Gollan is hoping for a bit of luck at the barrier drew for Spirit Of Boom and would be happy to draw between four and seven so Rawiller could give the five year old some nice cover in the run.

“I’d like him to draw a barrier between four and seven in the Winterbottom,” Gollan said.

“He’s the type of horse who needs to switch off with a bit of cover and hit the line on a dry track.

“Even though he’s raced well down the straight at Flemington, I think he’s a better horse around a turn.”

Gollan could offer some excuses for Spirit Of Boom after getting lost in the big field in the Group 1 $1m Patinack Farm Classic (1200m) at Flemington on November 10 when seventh to Mental with Michael Rodd on board.

“In the Patinack he pulled too hard then hung in against the rail which was the worst part of the track,” Gollan said.

Stablemate Temple Of Boom was an initial entry in the Winterbottom but Gollan will send him for a spell after finishing well down the track in the Patinack Farm Classic when fourteenth.

Gollan will give Temple Of Boom a short break before preparing him for the Group 1 $350,000 The James Boag Galaxy (1100m) at Randwick in the Autumn after taking out the feature sprint this year.

Darley trainer Peter Snowden has flown to Perth to oversee this week’s preparation for his Perth runners this Saturday.

Snowden will saddle up consistent sprinter Pinwheel in the Winterbottom and promising three year old Academus in the Group 2 $350,000 W.A. Guineas (1600m).

“They have both arrived and done well,” Snowden said.

“I’m just heading there now to see them through the week but I’m told they are both in good order.”

Pinwheel has been freshened up since finishing seventh to Moment Of Change in the Group 1 $400,000 Clamms Seafood Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on September 30.

While Academus will be on the improve after finishing fourth to Eximius at his second run back from a spell in the Listed $150,000 Hilton Hotels Stakes (1400m) at Flemington on November 10.

The Lonhro three year old showed he is up to the top level against his own age last season after finishing third to Sizzling in the Group 1 $500,000 Patinack Farm T J Smith (1600m) at Eagle Farm during the Brisbane Winter Carnival.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.