Class Horseman Rawiller Aims For Double Century

The Sunday Age

Sunday January 13, 2008

Stephen Howell

Brad Rawiller is on track to achieve a lofty goal, Stephen Howell writes.

THE Brad Rawiller express gathered speed at Caulfield yesterday, the jockey getting the better of a buckjumper before riding a double that pushed him towards the halfway mark of the double century he is chasing.

Five months and 12 days into the season, Rawiller reached 98 wins and perhaps as early as today, when he has six rides at Warrnambool, he will notch win No. 100 and set out towards 200, the lofty target he has set for this season after riding 164 winners in Victoria last season.

Rawiller's horsemanship faced its biggest test on his second mount yesterday - El Guapo in the Geoffrey Bellmaine Handicap. The colt put on a buckjumping display that was more rodeo than racetrack soon after leaving the starting gates, giving the rider a fright and winning him praise from chief steward Des Gleeson, although El Guapo did not finish the race. "I've always considered Brad Rawiller not only to be a top jockey, but also to be a top horseman," Gleeson said.

"And that demonstrated his ability as a horseman because at no stage did he look like being dislodged. A lesser rider would not have been able stay there. It was just a terrific bit of horsemanship. He's the all-round package."

Trainers and owners have come to realise the same thing in the past year after Rawiller, often with his car heater full blast to help shed weight, drove all over the state midweek and weekend in building a reputation as a country winner. Now, he is established as a winner.

Yesterday's successful pair were handled so well that when Barwon Express won the Ian Miller Handicap (1600 metres), racecaller Greg Miles called it as "another perfect ride by Brad Rawiller".

The $3.80 favourite beat Offenbach ($7) by 114 lengths, with Vicarage Gate ($31) a further head away third.

Earlier, Rawiller rode Cargo Cult ($6.50) to win the listed John Dillon Stakes (1400 metres) by a short head from Larson ($11) and the deadheaters Cocinero ($3.70 favourite) and Stickpin ($4).

"Hopefully I'll be getting it tomorrow," Rawiller said of the first ton. "But it would have been nice to do it in town."

The symbolism would have been nice, but with reputation won, it matters not where the milestone is reached.

Rawiller said publicity had been his biggest help since late last season when he was chasing the Victorian record, a mark he originally believed belonged to his brother Nash with 156 wins.

"I got a fantastic following from the media that was a stepping stone to getting recognised," he said. "When I got that (Nash's mark) they came and told me Nick Ryan had 165. I got 164."

Two group 1 wins almost 12 months apart bookended his Victorian premiership - on Niconero in Perth for David Hayes in the summer carnival and, in October, the Caulfield Guineas on Weekend Hussler.

"Obviously the turning point was Weekend Hussler," he said.

With more than six months of the season left, talk of 200 wins has substance. "I've alway had the belief in myself," he said. "It's been one hell of a ride . . . I have to keep pinching myself every week."

© 2008 The Sunday Age

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