The freewheeling Nash Rawiller again promises to be a dominant force at Royal Randwick today during a period in which “insider trading” and whip abuse are topical issues.
Given a free hit by stewards last Saturday, Rawiller manhandles the veteran Cascadian for Godolphin in the feature All Aged Stakes, which promises to be an enthralling chapter if not depleted by scratchings.
Nash Rawiller gets busy on Tom Kitten in the Fernhill Handicap at Randwick last week,Credit: Getty
Perhaps the state of the ground on a squiggly circuit with the rail out seven metres from the 1000 metres to the winning post could play a role in the group one sprint in which some fancies, including favourite Giga Kick, are being extended for the first time to 1400m and Cascadian is coming back to a journey short of his best. Heavy ground, though, fast pace and Rawiller could be an equaliser.
Cascadian is flying to the extent that many figured the rising nine-year-old was withdrawn from the Queen Elizabeth Stakes last Saturday because he may have upset stablemate Anamoe.
Rawiller’s power could also come into play in other events, including the Champagne Stakes, where Godolphin’s Fernhill Handicap winner Tom Kitten takes on Militarize, which last start was one of the most impressive winners of the Championships with brilliance unsullied by the mud.
No doubt Tom Kitten will need plenty of help from Rawiller, who was fined $5000
(more of a tickle) for exceeding the whip limit of nine strokes by four on Mo’unga before the 100-metre mark in the Queen Elizabeth when his mount beat Anamoe by a nose for second place.
Racing NSW stewards could not be satisfied that Mo’unga gained an advantage. Thus, they didn’t lodge a protest to reverse the placings.
Rawiller broke a rule and gained an advantage. Even if chief stipe Steve Railton or Peter V’landys, who figures the whip doesn’t hurt, don’t think excessive strikes matter, I submit they stimulate and make a difference, especially with the Rawiller application.
Perhaps no stylist with arms and legs gyrating, Rawiller is a canny tactician and adds spice to a race. A fault may be that he frequently tries too hard – a habit once stimulated in others only for a sling or financial reward when the whispered word “insider trading” or privileged information delivered from the corner of the mouth regarding prospects had significance.
Basically, that practice has been replaced by algorithms and computers that can give punters the edge and which led to a whinge in Canberra recently before a Senate inquiry into online betting. The subject arose concerning corporate bookmakers barring successful punters. Beating them is their problem; sucker money is their target.
I come from an era when those in the know had traction. Some jockeys would hold a burning hot stove on stable instruction or personal enterprise. Boat races – one-goers – were flagged. Several were successful but the rort at times came undone.
While not totally clean, racing is, by my estimation, 95 per cent better than it was. There is just too much money in winning honestly.
One successful local team, who look like they are freshly out of kindergarten, have bank balances like merchant bankers from playing the horses worldwide.
Personal success stories include Winedot Michael, who adjusts a set of prices from a renowned odds expert with personal assessments. Yes, he did well in business elsewhere, but the punt has taken him from flagon plonk to the best vintages France can produce. He treasures a letter of dismissal from a corporate bookmaking giant but can still get on with the TAB.
So where do I stand? I found it easier in the good old days. Now? Too many triers. For what they’re worth, play the exotics. But I’m still on a Black’s Rose from Mudgee while Winedot Michael is savouring a Chateau Lafite (2014).
