Nash Rawiller’s first race ride on Urban Groove could result in a Group One pay day if his opinion of the unbeaten filly is correct.
The three-year-old burst onto the scene last month with a five length demolition win at Kembla Grange in quick time.
She backed it up with a strong Reginald Allen Quality victory at Rosehill last weekend, doing enough to convince trainer Gai Waterhouse to run her in Saturday’s Group One Flight Stakes (1600m) at just her third start.
Jason Lee rode Urban Groove at Kembla and Tommy Berry was aboard for her stakes win but Rawiller will get the Group One opportunity.
Waterhouse’s number one stable rider, Rawiller partnered Urban Groove in two barrier trials prior to her first race and knows the filly well.
He has no doubt she is up to the giant task of making the successful leap to top company.
“She’s coming off a very impressive last start win in Listed company,” Rawiller said.
“She’s a filly that, as a two-year-old, showed us tremendous ability.
“We thought she was one of our best two-year-olds.
“She was plagued by an injury which put her out for 12 months but she’s come back in unbelievable order and she’s the sort of filly that can take the next step and win at Group One level.”
Urban Groove won her first trial in November last year but cracked her pelvis while being prepared for the Magic Millions in January.
As a result she missed the autumn juvenile races, dominated in her absence by stablemate Pierro.
Urban Groove has drawn barrier four in the nine-strong Flight Stakes field.
The event is the final leg of the four-race Princess Series and while Silver Shadow Stakes victor Nechita won’t be there, the other two series winners will.
Furious Stakes winner Dear Demi and upset Tea Rose Stakes victor Longport will jump from gates five and seven respectively.
Waterhouse will be striving to win the Flight Stakes for the eighth time having taken it out most recently with More Joyous, who provided Rawiller with his sole victory in the fillies’ feature three years ago.
