Just like old times, Nash Rawiller and Glen Boss have shown they can be forces in Sydney racing with winners at Randwick.
Both jockeys have returned from different exiles with Rawiller coming back from a ban after running foul of Hong Kong authorities while Boss decided Singapore was no longer enticing for him.
After serving 15 months for receiving gifts for tips, three-time Sydney premiership winner Rawiller opted to continue his career in Sydney after originally thinking he would ease himself into Melbourne racing.
Boss got the Sydney bug again after riding Brutal to win the Doncaster Mile in April and returned permanently a few weeks ago.
On Saturday, Rawiller racked up a double on the Bjorn Baker-trained Connemara and Commander for John Thompson while Boss recorded his first win since relocating on the Chris Waller-trained Girl Tuesday.
“It’s nice to be home,” Boss said.
“Sydney is the toughest school in the world but that’s part of the challenge.
“I’m like a dog off a chain I’m so excited.”
Girl Tuesday is from the dynasty founded by her breeder John Singleton and is a daughter of multiple Group One winner Tuesday Joy.
After riding Girl Tuesday in a recent barrier trial, Boss said he pestered Waller for the mount in the Spring Preview Handicap (1400m).
“I begged Chris for the ride,” he said.
“She is from a super family and really ran through the line.”
Girl Tuesday ($10) put 1-3/4 lengths on Bangkok ($8.50) who edged race leader Cradle Mountain ($9.50) out of second place.
Rawiller rode his first winner on his first day back at Kembla Grange on July 25 and has continued to make his mark with Saturday bringing his first metropolitan double since his return.
While Rawiller is pleased to be back, he is not one to blow his own trumpet but Thompson says he is more than happy to have him back and to get him to ride Commander.
“He’s an old-fashioned rider who kicks and pushes and he also rides longer than most jockeys today,” Thompson said.
“He’s a star.”
The Spring Preview was won of two open handicaps on the program with the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Wolfe winning the other, the Premier’s Cup Prelude (1800m).
The Japanese-bred Wolfe gained a run as first emergency and is on a path to Group One staying races but first needs to get his rating up to qualify.
“There are a couple of races here that we would like to pick off first before heading that way but the Cups are high on our radar that’s for sure,” Bott said.
“We do need to get that rating up and work our way towards that.”
