Nash Rawiller’s resurgence in the riding ranks has gone to the next level at Randwick with the jockey landing four winners and his first at Group level since his return from a lengthy ban.
Rawiller, who spent 15 months in the wilderness serving a ban imposed by Hong Kong stewards for accepting gifts for tips, has been back since late July.
And although it is early in the season, the three-time Sydney premiership winner is atop the leaderboard.
His Saturday was highlighted by his win aboard Dreamforce in the Group Two Chelmsford Stakes (1600m) for one of his greatest supporters, Randwick trainer John Thompson.
Runner-up in the Doncaster Mile, Dreamforce ($3.30 fav) took the lead out of the gates and did not relinquish it, holding New Zealand star Te Akau Shark ($3.80) by three lengths.
“That was my first win in a Group race since I have been back too so it’s very exciting,” Rawiller said.
“It’s a tremendous effort by the stable. They have been in red hot form and they have given me a great go since I have been back.
“John gives you a lot of confidence when you are riding for him.
“Full credit goes to him. He’s doing a great job.”
Thompson, who trained star filly First Seal who had the measure of Winx in their three-year-old season, went as far as to put Dreamforce at the top of the tree.
“He’s the best I’ve had,”he siad.
“He is such a professional. He’s a gun horse and does everything right and a pleasure to train.”
“He’s a real racehorse. He gives you 100 per cent every start. It’s his 11th win and he’s so honest. You can’t instil that in horses. He’s a trainer’s dream.
“All roads lead to the Epsom as his main goal.”
Dreamforce will go to the Group One George Main Stakes in two weeks on his way to the Epsom Handicap another fortnight later.
Te Akau Shark’s trainer Jamie Richards expressed his concerns pre-race about the winning trend for leaders on the day and jockey James McDonald confirmed he was not suited by the pattern after he came out of the pack to hit the line hard.
“He’s run a really good race,” McDonald said.
“He hit the line strongly but it’s a pity the track is in leaderish condition.”
Te Akau Shark remains the favourite for the Epsom on October 5 at $4.50 with Dreamforce next at $6 and Saturday’s Chelmsford Stakes winner Samadoubt at $8.
Rawiller’s other three winners were the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Yao Dash, the Bjorn Baker-trained Miss Invincible and Baller from the Anthony Cummings stable.
