James Orman has been confirmed as the new rider for Sweet Deal in the Tattersall’s Tiara after the mare’s regular jockey Nash Rawiller was caught in the crosshairs of Sydney’s COVID outbreak and banned from travelling to Queensland.
Rawiller visited his family doctor in Bondi, which is located in one of the local government areas affected by the COVID spike, prompting stewards to prohibit him from heading interstate.
His belated travel ban forced Sweet Deal’s trainer John Thompson to scramble for a new jockey and on Thursday he locked in Orman.
While disappointed Rawiller could not ride the mare in her final start, Thompson said the health of the community had to come first.
“He knows her very well and they’ve had a good association so it is frustrating to lose him in a big race, but the most important thing is people’s health and we can’t jeopardise that,” Thompson said.
“(Orman) has ridden for me a fair bit and ridden a few winners for me.”
With Queensland now closing its borders to all travellers from the Greater Sydney region, Thompson will also be forced to watch from afar when Sweet Deal chases an elusive Group 1 win at Eagle Farm on Saturday before beginning her next chapter at stud.
While many of the fancied runners, including favourite Tofane, have drawn wide, Sweet Deal has an ideal gate in barrier three.
Thompson felt the mare was carrying extra condition when midfield last start in the Dane Ripper Stakes and has rectified that with a couple of searching trackwork gallops.
“I brought her back home to Sydney and gave her a couple of good hitouts here on the Kensington track with a mate,” Thompson said.
“Nash actually came in and rode her both gallops and he was really happy on Tuesday with her final bit of work.
“I’m sure from the good draw she will get a nice run and she will be an easy ride for James. I think she’s a great chance.”
The final major of the 2020-21 racing season, the Tattersall’s Tiara (1400m) has attracted a capacity field of 17 plus three emergencies.
Sweet Deal is a $14 chance to give Thompson his second win in the race after claiming it with Pear Tart nine years ago.
