Few jockeys can match Nash Rawiller in the nerve department and the top hoop was seen at his daring best at Hawkesbury as he extricated US import Princess Grace from a sticky situation to land her first black-type win in Australia.
Held up behind shifting leader Expat, Rawiller had to manoeuvre Princess Grace off heels and shoulder into the clear.
But once she found space, the three-time American Group 1 placegetter burst clear to win the Hawkesbury Crown (1300m) by 1-1/2 lengths over Expat with Dalchini ($26) flashing through the centre late to grab third.
Representing winning trainer Chris Waller, Charlie Duckworth said the stable had been in two minds about whether to run Princess Grace at Hawkesbury but an inside draw and better-than-expected track convinced them to send her around.
“We were fifty-fifty whether we gave her a second run or whether we just waited for the spring carnival,” Duckworth said.
“When she drew well today we said, ‘well let’s take our chances’, especially when the track came up a (soft) five rather than a heavy track.
“Nash gave her a beautiful ride. It obviously looked a bit dicey but no better man to have than Nash on when you’re stuck in a bit of a tight spot. He always seems to find his way out.”
A multiple stakes winner, Princess Grace will be given the chance to add a Group 1 victory next preparation with a race like the Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in the spring a likely target.
Her victory gave Rawiller a black-type double after he captured the Hawkesbury Guineas (1400m) aboard Hawaii Five Oh and he said Princess Grace showed tenacity and class to overcome their tight spot.
“Brett (Prebble on Expat) shifted out slightly just as I was getting there which made it a bit dicey for her,” Rawiller said.
“But she was full of running at the time and I thought she extracted herself out of there pretty nicely. She went on with the job well and she’s an exciting horse.”
