Leading Sydney jockey Nash Rawiller is still a chance of riding Royal Descent in the Group 1 $2.65m BMW Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 19.
Nash Rawiller and Royal Descent winning the Australian Oaks at Randwick. Photo by Steve Hart.
Rawiller has been the Caulfield Cup fancy’s regular rider, including a win in the Group 1 $550,000 Patinack Farm Australian Oaks (2400m) at Randwick in the Autumn, but the Caulfield Cup ride looked in doubt with the mare only receiving 52.5kg, well below the top jockey’s riding weight.
But if the horses at the top of the weights, including the Robert Hickmott trained Green Moon (58kgs) and Sea Moon (57kgs), don’t accept and the weights have to be raised to the mandatory 58kgs top weight, Royal Descent’s weight could go up to 54kgs, giving Rawiller a chance to take the ride.
Trainer Chris Waller will wait until after Royal Descent runs in Saturday’s Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington before making a decision on a Caulfield Cup rider.
“I am yet to make any decisions on a rider for Royal Descent in the Caulfield Cup and will not make a decision on a rider until after the Turnbull Stakes and a clearer indication is given on the weights in the race,” Waller said.
Glen Boss’ name had been mentioned as a possible candidate for the ride, but the top jockey squashed rumours that he had been booked with a twitter post.
“Despite what has been written.re CAULFIELD Cup. I will not be making a decision until after Sat 5th,” Boss wrote.
Royal Descent, with Craig Newitt to ride and stable mate Queensland Derby winner Hawkspur with Michael Walker, will run in the Turnbull Stakes in the lead up to the Caulfield Cup along with many other Cup contenders.
The Redoute’s Choice mare showed her staying ability with a ten lengths win in Australian Oaks in the Autumn and has been a top Caulfield Cup fancy since.
Waller will have the four year old in peak condition come Caulfield Cup day with the mare having three runs in Sydney before heading to Melbourne.
Royal Descent ran second first up in the Group 3 $125,000 Kari Aboriginal Resources Inc. Toy Show Quality (1300m) at Warwick Farm on August 24, then third in the Group 3 $125,000 Tattersalls Club Tramway Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on September 7 followed by a second in the Group 1 $350,000 George Main Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on September 21.
Hawkspur ($7) and Royal Descent ($7.50) are fighting for Caulfield Cup favouritism just in front of the Mark Kavanagh trained Super Cool at $9 with European stayer Dandino next in the betting at $14.
