Sheer talent and dedication have overcome a body that denies Nash Rawiller the opportunities of his peers - and his biggest supporters couldn't be happier, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.It says: Rawiller has ridden doubles at the past three Sydney meetings, prompting trainer David Payne to declare this week: ''Surely he has won it [the Sydney jockeys' premiership] now.''''Just a strong rider who works very hard and deserves it,'' the South African added.''Strong'' is the word that gets a big
Sheer talent and dedication have overcome a body that denies Nash Rawiller the opportunities of his peers - and his biggest supporters couldn't be happier, reports the Sydney Morning Herald.
It says: Rawiller has ridden doubles at the past three Sydney meetings, prompting trainer David Payne to declare this week: ''Surely he has won it [the Sydney jockeys' premiership] now.''
''Just a strong rider who works very hard and deserves it,'' the South African added.
''Strong'' is the word that gets a big workout when Rawiller is spoken about by trainers but you could easily add ''horseman'' and even ''craftsman''. He has opened up an eight-win lead over Corey Brown and if he can hold on he will be a popular winner of the premiership.
''I would be over the moon if Nash can win the premiership because he is our stable jockey,'' Gai Waterhouse said. ''It has been so good to see Nash and Corey riding so well and be so competitive as they battle for the premiership. They are great athletes. They are great horsemen. I think Nash is a craftsman and he has just come on in leaps and bounds.''
Rawiller struggles to ride under 55 kilograms during the winter but that hasn't stopped him getting his share of winners in the final press towards the premiership.
Waterhouse, Payne and Chris Waller use Rawiller because he is effective rather than pretty. ''He is just an amazing horseman,'' Waller said. ''So strong. [Nash] winning the title is a victory for the old-style jockey who just gets the best out of every horse they ride."