Dr Evil ride set to dash Nash Rawiller’s premiership hopes, despite Randwick treble

Champion jockey Nash Rawiller rode a winning treble including navigating spectacular wide runs on Ha Ha Ha and South Of India – but it was a losing ride which is likely to cost him any chance of winning the Sydney premiership.

Nash Rawiller wins at Randwick aboard Ha Ha Ha. Picture: Jeremy Ng / Getty Images

Champion jockey Nash Rawiller rode a winning treble including navigating spectacular wide runs on Ha Ha Ha and South Of India – but it was a losing ride he made along the inside rail which is likely to cost him any chance of winning the Sydney premiership.

Rawiller’s three winners at Royal Randwick on Saturday – he also won on Cranky Harry – took him to 80 wins and only three behind premiership leader James McDonald with five city meetings remaining for the 2023-24 season.

But Rawiller’s narrow loss on Dr Evil in the Midway Handicap won by Charming Legend is likely to ruin his premiership ambitions.

Racing NSW stewards issued two charges against Rawiller for excessive whip use on Dr Evil, with the jockey arguing his case strongly before eventually pleading guilty.

Charming Legend scrapes in!

The son of Deep Field makes it a perfect 2/2 start to his career for master trainer Les Bridge ✅✅@racing_nsw@aus_turf_clubpic.twitter.com/s74Qq2xrtE

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

• Hong Kong calling for unbeaten Charming Legend

Stewards then suspended Rawiller for six days starting July 21 which means he misses only one Sydney meeting – Canterbury midweeker on July 24 – before he returns for Randwick on July 27.

Rawiller made an impassioned plea for a fine rather than a suspension due to the increased interest and media attention in the Sydney jockeys premiership outcome.

“This could end up being a great battle for the premiership between James and I,’’ Rawiller said.

“I’m am hoping you can fine me so I can keep riding. A suspension leaves me with no hope of winning the premiership.

“If I am suspended, then it is 12 months work out the window.’’

.@nashhot loves getting to that outside fence at Randwick! 🔥

He says HA HA HA and sails past his rivals en route to a winning double!@GaiWaterhouse1@FirstLIght_FLRpic.twitter.com/qd2qPylttU

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

• Baker pulls the right rein as War Eternal swoops home

It was a disappointing end to the day for Rawiller who has been in brilliant form, particularly on Ha Ha Ha and South Of India where he navigated his mounts towards the outside rail to make their winning runs, reminiscent of the jockey’s famous winning effort on Think It Over in the 2022 Queen Elizabeth Stakes.

The Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Ha Ha Ha zoomed home wide out under Rawiller to take out the Elite Sand And Soil Handicap (1600m).

Rawiller then went even wider on South Of India who made it five wins in succession in the Randwick closer, the Schweizer Kobras Lawyer Handicap (1000m).

Certainly, Ha Ha Ha was a different mare to the one that flopped at Rosehill last start. She appreciated getting out to the Randwick mile and being ridden conservatively early by Rawiller, settling near the rear of the field.

Bott hinted that it wasn’t the plan to have Ha Ha Ha so far back in the field on settling down but praised Rawiller for his tactical genius.

• Blinkers do the trick in Neasham’s Defining victory

“Nash is riding with so much confidence,” Bott said.

“He has a sniff of the premiership and that was Nash at his best. You have to allow him to his devices and let him get a feel for the race.

“Nash made the decision to take her back and I was worried how far back she got.

“But when she was wide with cover coming to the turn, she had the right horses taking her into the race.

“She got to them without having to do much work and was quite dominant late.”

Cranky Harry 😤💥@nashhot had his feet up on the dashboard!

Another @tabcomau Highway for @mattydunnracing. pic.twitter.com/MOQBPCOmSG

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

• In Flight makes light work of big weight to extend winning run

Ha Ha Ha ($6.50) came from near last on the turn to swamp the Ciaron Maher-trained duo of Space Age ($4.20) and Nails Murphy ($3.60 favourite) and won by a widening one-and-a-half lengths.

Rawiller’s brace on Ha Ha Ha and Cranky Harry (TAB Highway) takes him to 79 wins and just four behind leader James McDonald with five city meetings remaining for the 2023-24 season.

“She is a little awkward to ride but Gai and Adrian had given her more work since her last start and she was much more relaxed today,” Rawiller said of Ha Ha Ha.

“I decided to go very wide on the turn because I didn’t want to be caught in the middle of the track where it is a bit sandy.

“I think she will take a lot of confidence from today’s win – she’s a nice mare.”

Bott said Ha Ha Ha’s best in Europe had been over 1600m and he was confident the mare would run an improved race at her third Australian start.

“She was impressive today and no doubt she can get further, particularly the way she settled today,” Bott said.

■ ■ ■ ■ ■

DON DIEGO LEAVES HIS MARK WITH GUTSY RANDWICK VICTORY

“For the first time in your life I think you are glad the Frenchman was better than the Englishman!”

This was Sky Thoroughbred Central presenter Greg Radley’s humorous opening remark to trainer Annabel Neasham after Don Diego De Vega’s narrow win.

Don Diego De Vega is a former French galloper having his second Australian start since being secured by the Australian Bloodstock team of Luke Murrell and Jamie Lovett.

The grey gelding had been stakes placed in France and his breakthrough Australian win came at the expense of the Peter Snowden-trained The Englishman.

The Don! 🇫🇷

Jason Collett and @ANeashamRacing combine to see Don Diego De Vega win at his second start in Australia.

The @tabcomau Lay of the Day gets home. pic.twitter.com/T7ShS1ZUmR

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) July 13, 2024

• Nash gets Cranky ahead of Grafton mission

Neasham, who is from England herself, found herself agreeing with Radley while revealing her good opinion of the emerging Don Diego De Vega.

“I thought Don Diego De Vega was terrific late,” Neasham said.

“It looked like he might be coming to end of his run but he dug deep with 61g on his back.

“He had two weeks between runs after a long lay-off which was my only concern but he showed his quality to win.”

Don Diego De Vega ($2.40 favourite) conceded The Englishman 8.5kg but held off his rival to score by a long head with I’mintowin ($3) more than a length away third.

Neasham has had tremendous success with imported horses since starting her training career and has another promising stayer in Don Diego De Vega.

“He’s an exciting horse,” Neasham said. “He has good overseas form and was really well found by the Australian Bloodstock team.

“I’m sure he is only going to get better once we stretch him out in trip.

“I think he is a horse we will take through his grades although we have the luxury that he came over with a nice mark (rating).

“I’m sure the (Australian Bloodstock) boys would like a Newcastle Cup horse or something like that.”

Originally published as Dr Evil ride set to dash Nash Rawiller’s premiership hopes, despite Randwick treble