Jockey Nash Rawiller is looking forward to reuniting with a rejuvenated More Joyous when she kicks off her Autumn campaign at Rosehill tomorrow.
The Gai Waterhouse trained mare will resume in the Group 2 $175,000 Myer Canterbury Stakes (1300m) and is the $2.60 favourite in early markets.
Even though Rawiller is adamant that the multiple Group 1 winning mare was not at her best in the Spring, she was still able to win the Group 2 $180,000 D’Urban Tristrac Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on October 15.
More Joyous hasn’t raced since finishing a disappointing seventh to Hurtle Myrtle in the Group1 $500,000 Myer Classic at Flemington on Derby Day after which Waterhouse sent her straight to spelling paddock.
“She just didn’t feel quite her best for some reason, her action wasn’t as fluent as it should have been, but this preparation she is right back to her old self,” Rawiller said.
“I would say she is one of Sydney’s favourite racehorses and it would be great for her to come back and show us what she is made of.”
The More Than Ready mare is aiming to take out back to back Canterbury Stakes and go on to repeat that in the Group 1 $400,000 Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill on Golden Slipper day which she won last year.
The Canterbury Stakes boasts a start studded line up including Group 1 winners Metal Bender, Albert The Fat, Eagle Falls, Hurtle Myrtle and Stradbroke winner Sincero.
Waterhouse has given More Joyous a Rosehill barrier to get her ready for her return and Rawiller was more than pleased with her effort when a narrow second to Sincero.
“She had a really good spell and Gai has given her a long slow preparation leading in and she has come through with flying colours,” Rawiller said.
“She’s tremendous and she trialled beautifully a couple of weeks ago. I’ don’t ride her a lot in track work but I see her every day and she looks terrific.”
Rawiller will also team up with Waterhouse on Golden Slipper aspirant Pierro in the Group 2 $300,000 Spotless Todman Slipper Trial (1200m).
The unbeaten Lonhro colt is currently second in order in Golden Slipper betting at $6.50 behind Victorian filly Samaready who is the $3.10 favourite.
