Victorian-based hoop Brad Rawiller will make a rare off-season visit to Sydney on Saturday to help out premier trainer Chris Waller.
Waller has 14 runners across eight races at Warwick Farm and with many of Sydney’s senior riders in Brisbane for the Queensland Oaks meeting, Rawiller has picked up six mounts.
Brenton Avdulla has four rides for Waller while the remainder are split between the Berry twins, Tommy and Nathan, and apprentice Chad Schofield.
Rawiller, the brother of top Sydney jockey Nash, hasn’t done much race riding for Waller in the past but he is no stranger to the stable.
“He’s done a bit of work for us, he even jumped out Albert The Fat before he won the Emirates,” Waller said.
“He’s one of the best (jockeys around). I think he’s a good horseman which always helps.
“The Rawiller family are basically the horse family. They are dead-set horsemen and Brad’s also a very strong rider which seems to suit my horses.”
Rawiller’s six rides at Warwick Farm are all for Waller, headed by Group One winner The Verminator in the Listed Winter Cup (2400m).
He will also partner former New Zealand filly Savannah Dancer, the equal $5.50 favourite for the Liverpool Catholic Club Handicap (1200m).
The three-year-old showed ability in her five starts across the Tasman but spent more than a year on the sidelines before coming to Waller.
At her only start for him she was a closing third over 1400m at Randwick on May 20 under 56kg and rises two kilos for her Warwick Farm assignment.
“I’ve trained for her owners in New Zealand and they sent her over here for some of the good prizemoney on offer and to enhance her value at the same time,” Waller said.
“The handicappers have been very harsh with her and given her a high rating comparative to what she’s done which is disappointing.
“But her first-up run was good. She was very ready for it and ran up to her best.”
Waller will also saddle up the lightly-raced Miss Milanese, a $6 chance in the same race with Avdulla to ride.
“She’s had a lot of problems but they look to be behind her now,” Waller said.
“Saturday’s race is a good stepping stone for her, although she will appreciate further.”
Rawiller’s remaining rides for Waller are two-year-old Eight Straight, Platinum Red in the Pages Events Equipment Hcp (1600m), Sacred Pins in the Big Sports Breakfast Bowl (1400m) and Key West in the Ranvet Hcp (1300m).
