The decision by star Sydney heavyweight jockey Nash Rawiller to return to Victoria for a month has paid off handsomely with a win on Attorney in the Pakenham Cup.
When Warwick Farm trainer Matthew Smith found out Rawiller was in Melbourne and available to ride, he didn’t hesitate in putting him on the promising stayer.
The win gave Rawiller his second Pakenham Cup after taking it out in 2003 on Mr Casanova when the race was held on the old Pakenham track.
Rawiller is spending December with his family in Victoria after being separated this year because of COVID-19 border restrictions and Attorney was the first winner he has ridden since his arrival.
“It’s good to be back and catch up with old friends and acquaintances that I’ve ridden for over the years and they’ve been kind enough to give me a nice ride,” he said.
Rawiller said it was a bit of a slog to win but Attorney was a good stayer in the making.
“He really shone through when it counted. I think he’ll be placed to advantage in the autumn where he could almost win a Sydney Cup or something like that. He’s a nice horse,” Rawiller said.
Smith said Attorney didn’t have a lot of luck at his previous start when he finished fourth in the Zipping Classic.
“We got him home after that and he was bouncing so it made the decision to have a go at this race much easier,” Smith said.
Smith said the former French stayer had always looked as if he was a 2400 metre or further horse and he had proved that at his last two starts.
Smith said he would aim him at the Sydney Cup next year.
“I can’t see any reason why we wouldn’t give it a shot because he promised and he delivered,” Smith said.
Smith said he was pleased with his results over the Melbourne carnival, which included a win in the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes with Fierce Impact.
He is also grateful for the support of OTI Racing which gave him the opportunity to train Attorney.
OTI Racing had a great end to spring as they also won the Queen Elizabeth Stakes with True Self.
Attorney ($3.20 favourite) defeated Creedence ($9) by a half-length to win Saturday’s $300,000 race with Knights Order a short half-head away third.
After two narrow defeats, The Astrologist finally got the bob in when it counted to take out Saturday’s $150,000 VOBIS Gold Bullion (1400m).
Jockey Craig Williams wasn’t sure he had won as he said Ben Melham on Wild Vixen dived on the line but the judge found a short half-head in his favour.
The Astrologist is trained by Leon and Troy Corstens and their stable foreman Dom Sutton said they were aiming the horse at the $1 million Magic Millions Cup at the Gold Coast in January.
