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SYDNEY - Nash Rawiller was in a positive mood yesterday despite his disappointment at losing the ride on Haradasun to Damien Oliver for the spring.
Irish-based Coolmore Stud has secured a half-share in Haradasun for a reported A$30 million ($33.25 million) and it has the major say in who will ride the dual group one winner in his upcoming campaign.
Rawiller is now domiciled in Sydney after moving from Victoria at the beginning of the autumn carnival to take up a position with the Gai Waterhouse stable, which he has made permanent.
He hit the ground running in March with group one wins on Bentley Biscuit in the T J Smith and All-Aged Stakes.
His commitments to Waterhouse meant he missed riding Haradasun to his group one wins in the George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster Handicap with Glen Boss getting the glory.
"It's a bit of a setback but I'm riding as good as ever and have plenty to look forward to," Rawiller said. "While it is a setback it might open me up for something else. I would have been a bit locked into him but now my hat's in the ring for whatever comes along."
Waterhouse is expected back in Sydney this week after her stay in England was extended when she became ill in the week leading up to Bentley Biscuit's unplaced run in the July Cup at Newmarket.
"I spoke to Gai this morning and she told me not to worry," Rawiller said.
Rawiller rode Haradasun's half-brother Elvstroem to group one wins in the 2004 Underwood Stakes and Caulfield Cup and partnered him on an overseas campaign the following year which yielded victory in the Dubai Duty Free as well as group one placings in France and England.
He rode Haradasun to his four early wins before the colt stepped up to group one company.
Haradasun is scheduled to resume in the group three Bletchingly Stakes at Caulfield next Saturday.
- AAP
