Racing NSW stewards have adjourned an inquiry into Nash Rawiller’s ride on beaten favourite Greek Hero at Kembla Grange after giving the jockey a grilling.
Rawiller’s effort aboard the Richard and Michael Freedman-trained galloper was put under the microscope after he got back to last and never threatened, despite making late ground for third.
Most speed maps had the $2.70 favourite enjoying a gun run behind the speed.
Stewards told Rawiller the ride lacked his usual vigour at a crucial stage of the race.
“That’s not Nash Rawiller at his best there inside the 300 (metres),” chief stipe Marc Van Gestel said.
“You appear to have clear running. Why don’t we see you at your top?”
Rawiller argued Greek Hero was hanging in badly and he was trying to balance him up before going full throttle.
“If I was to run your last 10 rides that would be one of the least urgent moves I’ve seen Nash Rawiller make,” presiding steward Wade Birch added.
Co-trainer Richard Freedman told stewards the stable expected the horse to settle on the back of the leaders but added races don’t always go to plan.
He concurred that Greek Hero had shown a tendency to hang at trackwork and that Rawiller’s evidence to stewards supported his post-race wrap.
“What Nash is saying is consistent with what he told me when he got off the horse,” Freedman said.
Stewards have adjourned the matter to a date to be decided.
