The Randwick crowd clapped and cheered as More Joyous returned to scale following her scintillating Doncaster Mile victory but there were few people more proud than jockey Nash Rawiller.
With a smudge of lipstick across his cheek courtesy of a congratulatory kiss, Rawiller was emotional as he paid tribute to the mare he has ridden in 19 of her 25 starts.
“What an unbelievable mare,” Rawiller said.
“We knew she could do it today. It’s just great to see her have a crowning moment like this.
“The Doncaster Mile is one of the hardest races in Sydney to win.
“She’s just something special.”
More Joyous had won six Group One races leading into Saturday but none carried the history and prestige of a Doncaster.
She started favourite in last year’s edition with Rawiller in the saddle but was unable to make an impression on the heavy track and finished 11th.
When Sydney copped a deluge of rain earlier in the week it seemed as though More Joyous would not get a chance at redemption with owner John Singleton swaying towards not running her again on a heavy track.
But with drying weather on Friday and Saturday she took her place and in the end the 1600m showpiece was run on a dead track.
The rest came down to Rawiller and More Joyous.
Settling just behind the speed, Rawiller popped More Joyous out in the straight and she showed her trademark acceleration to quickly put the race in the bag, scoring by three-quarters of a length over Shoot Out.
She also did it under 57.5kg, just half a kilo less than Sunline lumped to her second Doncaster victory 10 years ago.
“You look at all the things that can beat her in the world but then you get on her back and she fills you with confidence,” Rawiller said.
“She’s got the motor and that’s what counts.”
It was Rawiller’s second Doncaster victory after Rangirangdoo two years ago and continued his stellar autumn carnival which has yielded several other Group One wins headed by the Golden Slipper aboard Pierro.
