Gai Waterhouse defends dumping Nash Rawiller off Fiorente

Gai Waterhouse has defended her axing of Nash Rawiller for the rest of the spring on Melbourne Cup favourite Fiorente, saying he "was only ever booked race to race''.

Nash Rawiller aboard Fiorente before Saturday's Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Colleen Petch

GAI Waterhouse has defended her axing of Nash Rawiller for the rest of the spring on Melbourne Cup favourite Fiorente, saying he "was only ever booked race to race".

The relationship between Waterhouse and Rawiller hit rock bottom yesterday when the jockey was punted from the plum rides on Fiorente in the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup.

Waterhouse broke the news to Rawiller early yesterday, informing him rival hoop Damien Oliver would be Fiorente's new rider for the remainder of the spring.

Fiorente flew home for fourth in Saturday's Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington, but there was immediate talk the connections were far from impressed with the ride.

Waterhouse told The Daily Telegraph the decision to let Rawiller go was made jointly by her and the owners.

Rawiller did not respond to calls or text messages yesterday.

"Damien Oliver will ride Fiorente in the Cox Pate and the Melbourne Cup, Nash was only ever booked race to race," Waterhouse said.

"The owners and I made the decision Damien would ride the horse.

"Nash rode the horse well yesterday. This has just been something that's been thought about for a long time. The owners wanted a jockey based in Melbourne, someone who is riding the tracks every day.

"It was never a long-term commitment with Nash.

"Nash understands perfectly. I spoke with him this morning. People move on.

"It's the same when someone wants a horse to move (from your stable). It's not a marriage, it's a partnership, or a contract that goes from race to race."

Rawiller had in recent months started to ride for other stables and lost his title as Waterhouse's No. 1 stable rider. He continued to ride for Waterhouse, but Tommy Berry emerged as the trainer's first-choice hoop.

Waterhouse told The Daily Telegraph late Saturday Rawiller would be riding Divine Calling in this Saturday's Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m).

Asked if Rawiller would still be riding the grey, Waterhouse said: "If he wants the ride it's there for him."

Nash Rawiller aboard Fiorente before Saturday's Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Colleen Petch

Rawiller was prepared to go anywhere Fiorente went this spring. He regularly spruiked the horse, and booted him home to a last-stride victory in the Group 2 Dato' Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m) last month. He gave up a potential plum book of rides on the Golden Rose program at Rosehill to stick with Fiorente at Moonee Valley on that same day.

Fiorente is on the third line of betting at $5 behind Atlantic Jewel ($2.90) and It's A Dundeel ($4.20) for the Cox Plate with the TAB, and the $6 outright favourite for the Melbourne Cup. He ran an amazing second in the same race last year.

"He's the most talked about horse going into the Cup," Waterhouse said about her six-year-old imported entire.

"He's got the perfect formline, he's got previous history in the Cup when he ran second. He's certainly one of the horses to beat. It's never an easy task, but he's certainly on target.

"Damien is riding like a man on a mission at the moment. He's been out for a while, but he's got a hunger about him, and he's riding my horses very well in Victoria."

Oliver returned from a lengthy suspension for betting on a race, but more than made up for lost time. He rode Divine Calling at his past two wins around Moonee Valley.

Waterhouse will also saddle up Aussies Love Sport, with Brett Prebble to ride, despite the colt picking up a minor injury en route to Melbourne.

MELBOURNE CUP

$6 Fiorente

$7 Hawkspur, Puissance De Lune

$11 Mount Athos

$18 Green Moon, Verema, Voleuse de Coeurs

$19 Masked Marvel, Royal Descent

$23 Dandino, Fawkner, Seville Tres Blue

Market: Courtesy TAB