Tyler Schiller’s hopes of snaring his first Group win of the new season hinge on where Team Hawkes opt to launch the carnival campaign of Blue Diamond Stakes winner Devil Night.
The colt is an acceptor for Saturday’s Group 3 San Domenico Stakes (1100m) at Rosehill, as well as the McNeil Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield and the trainers have until Thursday night to make a call.
If Devil Night does remain in Sydney, Schiller will have his first ride on the Group 1 performer as he continues his comeback from a spinal fracture suffered in a race day incident at Canterbury in May when he was dislodged shortly after leaving the mounting yard.
“The scans revealed a minor fracture that just required rest but I was very lucky,” Schiller said.
“It could have been a lot worse. If I’d gone head-first a lot more damage could have been done.
“I’m feeling really good. I’ve been back two-and-a-half weeks now and everything is going really well.”
Schiller returned to race riding at Doomben on August 16 and was in action at Randwick last Saturday where Gangsta Granny went down narrowly to unbeaten mare Autumn Glow in the Toy Show Quality (1100m).
He will again combine with John, Wayne and Michael Hawkes with Devil Night, who hasn’t raced since finishing a game fifth in Marhoona’s Golden Slipper (1200m).
While Schiller hasn’t been on the colt’s back in a trial or race, he has worked him at home and expects him to acquit himself well regardless of where he resumes.
“I’ve ridden him a couple of times and have jumped him out once. He is definitely an exciting colt,” Schiller said.
“He’s a Group One winner and he’s done his job but there is still plenty left in store for him.
“It’s hard to get a guide on him at trackwork. He is such a competitor that you don’t know how he’s going until race day but he has definitely got improvement in him and the Hawkes team is very happy with him.”
Schiller’s Rosehill book also includes stayer Etna Rosso, who resumes for Chris Waller in the Mounties Group Handicap (1500m).
Runner-up in the Brisbane Cup (3200m), Etna Rosso will appreciate much further than the journey of Saturday’s race but he has sprinted well fresh in the past and Schiller won’t be surprised if he runs a cheeky race.
“Especially the way a few of Chris’s horses are returning. Some of his stayers have been putting in big runs first-up,” he said.
“If he gets the right run he will be hitting the line strongly.”
