Only a few Australian jockeys have ridden more winners than Brad Rawiller and he has arrived in Sydney to try his luck in the strongest jockeys room in the world. He will have his first New South Wales mount this time around at Newcastle on Saturday when he rides the Annabel Neasham trained Mister Hemsworth in the Bonvilla Estate Maiden Plate (1600m). He is riding around 58 kilograms and Mister Hemsworth is Rawillers only ride of the day and has to carry 59 kilograms.
The Victorian who has been riding in Western Australia in recent years has close on 3000 winners and has won 25 Group 1’s including a Golden Slipper on Phelan Ready and a Caulfield Cup aboard Viewed. Annabel Neasham told yours truly on Thursday that Mister Hemsworth has a very good chance at Newcastle “He is very consistent with placings in all three starts this prep and he has drawn nicely. He is very well placed in this field” Neasham said. It is a winnable race for Mister Hemsworth as this is the weakest field, he has met this prep. Also, he will race on the speed.
Local trainer Sam Kavanagh will saddle up Spirit Of Storm, a nice filly in the Watson Mangioni Provincial Maiden Plate (900m) and she has a good chance. She has only had one start when a fast finishing third less then two lengths from the winner on this track on January 17. Spirt Of Storm travelled to Rosehill for a tick over trial on January 27 and closed off nicely on the bit. New South Wales busiest jockey Ash Morgan has the mount, and the filly has the perfect barrier. The Newcastle based jockey had 120 rides during January.
3-year-old filly Lady Percival’s is due for a change of luck when she steps out in the Manning Valley Free Range Eggs Maiden Handicap (1200m). The Zoustar filly had no luck when fifth at Warwick Farm last start when bumped twice in the straight. She pulled up that day with mild heat stress. The spacious track is in her favour.
Paul Perry’s apprentice Camille Houlgatte enjoyed her best day in the saddle when she landed a double at the Muswellbrook meeting last Monday and she could be smiling again following the JW Marriott Gold Coast Resort & Spa Midway Benchmark 64 Handicap (1600m) at Newcastle on Saturday. The French lady will be aboard her bosses bold front running gelding Theo Legion.
Houlgatte’s 3-kilogram allowance will reduce the original top weights impost from 60 ½ to 57 ½ kilograms. Theo Legion has won two races on this track.
There will be two track gallops between races at Newcastle on Saturday. Sam Kavanagh’s pair Aramayo and Kayobi will gallop together. Aramayo, fifth in the 2022 The Hunter and runner up in the Bernborough at Doomben will run in next months Group 3 Newcastle Stakes – formerly the Newcastle Newmarket. Kayobi is second favourite for the Provincial Midway Championships Final.
Promitto, the Group 2 Skyline winner will gallop with one of Kris Lees’ team. Promitto resumes in the Hobartville Stakes next Saturday.