By Craig Kerry
Tyler Schiller believes West Of Swindon would give him a genuine chance to ride a Golden Slipper winner at his first attempt.
That’s if the Wootton Bassett colt runs in next week’s $5 million race.
West Of Swindon, with Tyler Schiller aboard, comes down the outside to finish second in the Golden Gift at Rosehill in November.Credit: Getty Images
With $246,000 in prizemoney from second-place finishes in the Golden Gift and Silver Slipper, West Of Swindon is assured a start in the 1200m feature for two-year-olds at Rosehill.
However, he trialled on Monday and is down to race in the final qualifier for colts and geldings, the group 3 Pago Pago Stakes (1200m), on Saturday at Rosehill.
Prominent owner Rupert Legh told ANZ Bloodstock News that West Of Swindon was running in the Pago Pago and could back up in the Slipper if he wins well, but the original plan was to head to the 1400m Sires’ Produce Stakes on April 5.
Schiller was unsure of the path but said the Hawkes training team had “pretty much booked me” for the Slipper.
‘I think he’s an ideal Sires’ horse, but he’s probably up to them in the Slipper if he makes it.’
Tyler Schiller on West of Swindon
“The ball’s in Michael, John and Wayne’s court, but I feel like the horse is going well,” Schiller said. “Nothing is set in stone, but as far as I know, if he does go there, I’ll be able to stick with it.
“I think he’s an ideal Sires’ horse, but he’s probably up to them in the Slipper if he makes it. I’ve never ridden in one, and I think he’s a really good chance if he does go there. He’s an exciting colt.”
Schiller was aboard for Monday’s 1045m trial at Randwick when West Of Swindon travelled four wide and hit the line strongly for second.
“We didn’t want to give him too much of a hit-out and they went a bit steady,” he said. “He got forced wide, but I held on to him up the straight until probably the 100 and then just asked for a bit of an effort, and I thought he responded quickly. He’s moving well and doing everything right.”
Sydney jockey Tyler Schiller.Credit: Getty Images
West Of Swindon was a $3.50 favourite for the Pago Pago, ahead of Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou’s Skyhook ($4.20).
Schiller is also aboard debutante Polish Playgirl ($46) for the Hawkes team in the fillies qualifier, the group 3 Magic Night Stakes. She was fourth, finishing well, in a 900m trial at Rosehill last week but has to contend with barrier 13 on Saturday.
“She’s a big, strong filly,” he said. “I don’t know if she’s a 1200-metre specialist, but first-up she’ll be fresh enough for it. The draw is a bit of an issue, but I really like her. She’s got a bit of quality about her.”
He rides Chris Waller-trained Firestorm ($13), a last-start winner of the Millie Fox Stakes, in the group 1 Coolmore Classic (1500m) from the outside gate.
“She’ll be getting back and doing her best work late,” he said. “She’s gets in at a lightweight, which is why I probably I’ve been booked, but she’s not without hope. I thought her first-up run was really sharp.”
He also has chances in the Phar Lap Stakes with More Territories ($10) and West Of Africa ($12) in the Ajax Stakes.
“She’s got a really good turn of foot and I think she can settle a little closer tomorrow,” he said of More Territories.
“I really like West Of Africa. I thought he had a pretty tough run on the Gold Coast, then a long break between runs, so he might have gone into it a bit soft [when sixth last start].
“Hopefully he can bounce back over 1500. I think they are trying to get him into a Doncaster.”
Apprentice leaves busy day in Queensland for first group 1 ride at Rosehill
After missing out on potential group 1 chances over last year’s winter carnival because of suspension, apprentice Bailey Wheeler is more than happy to miss a packed day of racing in Queensland to ride in his first top-level race at Rosehill on Saturday.
The 20-year-old, based at Eagle Farm with Rob Heathcote, has the job aboard the Richard and Will Freedman-trained Elettrica ($35 Sportsbet) at 51 kilograms in the $1 million Coolmore Classic after riding her to a last-start win in the Sunshine Coast Cup. He has also picked up two other rides, including on Von Hauke in the group 2 Ajax Stakes for Melbourne trainer Cliff Brown.
In chasing a first group 1, Wheeler will miss city meetings at Eagle Farm and Gold Coast, which have been rescheduled across Saturday to avoid major overlaps, following the loss of racing to ex-tropical cyclone Alfred the previous week.
Bailey Wheeler.Credit: Fairfax Media
Wheeler, though, had no regrets. Originally from Grafton and a former apprentice to top Newcastle trainer Kris Lees, Wheeler is focused on making the most of major chances after a chequered start to his career. He was suspended twice then sacked by trainer Annabel Neasham last year for indiscretions, then copped a four-week ban for lying to stewards during inquiries over a positive breathalyser test before riding at Ipswich.
“When the carnival was on up here, I was suspended so I missed out and never really had the chance up here,” Wheeler said.
“This will be my first group 1, and it’s good to do it in Sydney. I had a stint in Sydney over the carnival a couple of seasons ago. I’ve always wanted to ride down there, but it’s just hard to get opportunities on the big days.
“I’ve had my ups and downs, but I feel like I’m slowly getting better. My riding is going well. I’ve had a pretty good season, so hopefully I can just keep going forward and on Saturday, I feel like if I can just ride them well, bigger opportunities can open up. It will be a good experience.”
