A change in tactics at Rosehill on Saturday backfired for odds-on favourite Said Com but jockey Nash Rawiller believes a nice race might be within reach for the winner Kontiki Park.
The Gai Waterhouse-trained Kontiki Park ($7) scored a first-up win in the ClubsNSW Spring Preview Handicap (1400m) as $1.45 favourite Said Com could only manage third after sitting outside the leader during the run.
Premier trainer Chris Waller wanted to try Said Com ridden closer to the speed because he said having that tactical prowess increased the chances of winning races.
“It’s a learning curve,” Waller said.
“I don’t think he appreciated being ridden on the pace so next start we’ll go back to riding him a bit quieter. I’m not too disappointed in him though and his next start will be in the Tramway Handicap.”
Rawiller, meanwhile, believes Kontiki Park could surprise and pick up a decent race during the spring.
The seven-year-old gelding defeated the Metropolitan Handicap-bound Nextanix by 1-1/4 lengths with Said Com another three-quarters of a length away.
“I don’t know about Group Ones but I reckon second-tier races would be nice for him,” Rawiller said.
“Who knows, there might be a nice race in him.
“I think Said Com is a genuine Group horse and he thrashed him. So who knows, he might surprise us.”
