Brad Rawiller is still hobbling around as he recovers from a fractured foot but he felt like standing high in the irons when he brought up the 2000th win of his career at Sandown on Wednesday.
The hard-working jockey, who has a Caulfield Cup and Golden Slipper victory to his name, brought up the milestone with victory on the lightly-raced Bishops Castle in the Palcare Plate (1200m).
“It’s just astounding to think I’ve got 2000 winners and I’m only 34,” Rawiller said.
“I get great support and hopefully now we can keep rolling forward.”
Bishops Castle was making his return from a spell and after moving around three-wide to join the leaders approaching the home turn, Rawiller kicked the gelding clear to have the race in his keeping despite the three-year-old tiring late.
It also gave the jockey time to contemplate a salute to acknowledge the milestone.
“I was thinking about 50 metres out about giving a salute but decided not to,” Rawiller said.
“I’ve done enough saluting. I probably should have but the stewards might not have been happy.”
Rawiller returned to race riding last Saturday after spending three weeks on the sidelines through injury.
The jockey fractured a bone in his foot in a barrier incident at Terang earlier this month.
He is able to ride but admits it will take another couple of weeks for his foot to be back to 100 per cent.
Rawiller’s first winner came in 1995 while his biggest wins have been the Caulfield Cup on Viewed and the Golden Slipper on Phelan Ready.
He also enjoyed a great association with star galloper Weekend Hussler.
On Saturday he will try to add another big race win to his record when he rides Phillipi in the Australian Guineas at Flemington.
“He’s capable of winning a Guineas,” Rawiller said.
“All Too Hard is an outstanding horse and is probably going to be hard to beat. My horse will be better over further again but he’s still good enough at this stage of his preparation to be right amongst the money.”
