Another outstanding book of feature race rides at Randwick on Saturday has Nash Rawiller set to wrap up the George Moore Golden Whip for the Sydney Carnival’s leading jockey.
Rawiller has had a carnival to remember with major race victories in the Golden Slipper and Doncaster Mile, along with other Group One wins in the Rosehill Guineas, Sires’ Produce Stakes and Queen Of The Turf Stakes.
Sydney’s premier jockey heads into the final meeting of the six-week Sydney Carnival with the plum rides on Pierro in the Champagne Stakes (1600m) and More Joyous in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
He’ll also partner King Mufhasa in the All Aged Stakes (1400m).
The George Moore Golden Whip award is scored on a three-two-one basis for each of the races during the six feature meetings of the Sydney Carnival.
Rawiller has 36 points, nine ahead of nearest rival Hugh Bowman with just Saturday’s meeting to go.
Corey Brown, who is out suspended, can’t improve on his 25 points while young gun James McDonald’s four wins last weekend took him to 20 points.
Rawiller is looking forward to the day.
“It’s been a great carnival,” Rawiller said.
“Hopefully we can go out on a good note on Saturday.”
Pierro is at $1.35 with TAB Sportsbet for the Champagne Stakes (1600m) having won the Golden Slipper and Sires’ Produce Stakes to take his unbeaten record to five.
“He’s just been too good for them,” Rawiller said.
“He has just thrived the whole preparation and I don’t think he’s gone backwards at all from what I’ve seen of him since the Sires.
“The 1600 shouldn’t be a problem.”
More Joyous is also favourite for the Queen Elizabeth at $2.40 at only her second attempt at 2000m.
The mare’s only other start at the distance was in the 2010 Cox Plate (2040m) when she led to try to get the better of champion So You Think and finished fifth.
“I haven’t got a problem with her at 2000 metres,” Rawiller declared.
More Joyous notched her seventh Group One success with victory in last Saturday’s Doncaster Mile carrying 57.5kg.
Rawiller also has strong chances with Hallowell Belle, Fat Al and Nobby Snip in support races on Saturday.
