Nash Rawiller wasted no time returning to the winner’s circle when he won the Listed Tibbie Stakes on More Strawberries at Newcastle.
It was a relieved Rawiller’s first ride back from suspension.
“It’s good to get that one out of the way,” Rawiller said.
Trained by Gai Waterhouse, More Strawberries was having her first start since failing in the Coolmore Classic at Rosehill last April and Rawiller said she would take a lot of benefit from Thursday’s run.
“She had a really good blow after we pulled up,” Rawiller said.
“She had to dig deep near the line but to her credit she gave plenty.”
More Strawberries ($4.50) raced on the rail in fourth place to the turn before Rawiller pulled her out three-wide to make a run.
She opened a break of two lengths at the 200 metres but Skyerush ($31) closed late and More Strawberries had to dig deep to win by a long head with her stablemate and favourite Sweetest Melody ($2.75) a further head away third.
Duncan Grimley, the racing manager for John Singleton, said More Strawberries would likely go to the Epsom where she drops to 52kg from the 57.5kg she carried in the Tibbie.
“Then she may go to Melbourne but we will be avoiding any clashes with More Joyous,” Grimley said.
“However there are plenty of other nice mares races down there.”
AAP TURF