Leading jockey Nash Rawiller has been cleared to ride Julienas in the Group 3 Hawkesbury Gold Cup (1600m) this afternoon.

Nash Rawiller will ride Julienas in the Hawkesbury Gold Cup this afternoon. Photo by: Steve Hart

Rawiller was stood down from riding yesterday after being involved in a barrier mishap on board Happy Meteor before the running of the second race that left him with a bruised back and a sore left leg.

The Sydney Jockeys Premiership winner told News Limited that he thought he was in ‘massive strife’ when his mount reared up and paid credit to the barrier attendants who helped him out of the dangerous situation.

“The horse outside him went off initially, and that’s when my fella launched himself straight up into the air and then came down on his haunches.

“I was very lucky I had some quick-thinking barrier attendants, otherwise I would have been in all sorts.”

Rawiller will take the ride on leading Hawkesbury Gold Cup contender Julienas, who will be returning to the races for the first time this preparation.

The Cape Cross gelding had an inconsistent 2013 Autumn Racing Carnival campaign that concluded with him finishing at the tail of the field, with Rawiller on board, in the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) at Randwick.

The six-year-old recorded impressive wins in the Listed Sky High Stakes (1900m) at Rosehill Gardens and the Listed Manion Cup (2400m) earlier in his preparation but struggled when he stepped up to Group level in the Group 2 Chairman’s Handicap (2600m) and the Sydney Cup.

Rawiller is also cleared to ride at Warwick Farm on Saturday where he has an exciting book of rides headlined by classy sprinter Rain Affair – the clear favourite for the Group 2 Warwick Stakes (1400m).

He will also take the ride on exciting mare Royal Descent in the Group 3 Toy Show Quality (1300m), partner undefeated colt Pitcrew in the Group 3 Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) and tackle the tough Group 3 Show County Quality (1200m) field with See The World.