Burleigh gelding proving an Iron horse
Goulburn gelding Iron Will has defied all challengers to give trainer Tash Burleigh her fifth Highway Handicap win.
The three-year-old took up the running from an awkward draw and was there to be beaten in the straight but dug deep for regular rider Billy Owen to land the money.
Burleigh said that Iron Will, who has now won three of his eight starts, stripped much fitter for his first-up fifth to Zaru in a similar race two weeks ago.
"A lot of challengers, a sticky barrier again, up in the air about what sort of run we were going to have, but geez he was tough," Burleigh said.
"Two weeks ago that run was really brave also. I knew he had improved on his fitness that little bit coming here today, he just needed luck."
Iron Will ($6.50) held off Salire ($4.80 fav) by a half-length with his last start conqueror Zaru ($8) third.
Waller wins for mentor
Chris Waller had extra reason to be delighted by the first Australian win of European import Mascaret in the fourth event at Randwick.
The Dubawi mare is raced by former Godolphin senior staffer John Ferguson, who along with enjoying a long and distinguished career in the industry has also been a sounding board for Sydney's champion trainer.
"He is an amazing horseman and what he's done in setting up Godolphin and all the other things behind the scenes, it's a pleasure to be involved with him," Waller said.
"I've had a little bit to do with him over the last few years and he's an amazing mentor.
"He used to train jumpers so he's a very astute horseman and he was obviously running Godolphin and was Sheikh Mohammed's right-hand man basically.
"I got to know him over the years and James, his son, trains quite a few horses for us over in the UK, hence the reason we get the Francesco Guardis and El Bodegons and those horses."
It doesn't hurt that Ferguson is also the godfather to Waller's right-hand man, Charlie Duckworth.
Big Dance goal for Camaguey
Kim Waugh is setting her sights on the Big Dance with Camaguey after the former Godolphin galloper posted his first win for the stable in Saturday's ATC Thank You Owners Handicap (1800m).
Waugh said the four-year-old was bought with the $2 million Melbourne Cup day feature in mind, having already assured his eligibility by winning the Mudgee Cup in December.
He still needs to boost his rating high enough to earn one of the coveted berths in the race, but Saturday's win will go some way toward achieving that, with the Little Dance the back-up plan.
"That's why they guys bought him, hoping he'd be able to have a nice prep (leading into the Big Dance)," Waugh said.
"He will go out now and have a little freshen up then come back and get ready for the Big Dance or the Little Dance."
Waugh also had Nowra Cup winner French Bonnet qualified for the Big Dance but revealed the mare had suffered a minor injury setback and would miss the race.
McDonald, Rawiller star on winter returns
Riding at their first Saturday meeting since returning from respective winter breaks, Sydney jockey room heavyweights James Mcdonald and Nash Rawiller hit the ground running.
McDonald landed an early double for Chris Waller aboard Caballus and Mascaret, before Rawiller joined in with a brace of his own on the Kim Waugh-trained Camaguey and King Of Naples for John O'Shea.
Rawiller's horsemanship shone through aboard the latter, the top hoop riding King Of Naples out hands and heels and showing his renowned strength in a tight finish to overhaul Plundering by a half-neck.
"He's not real fond of the whip and I had that in the back of my mind, although he really needed one there at the hundred," Rawiller said.
"It's a fine line sometimes if you give them one or not.
"What I loved about him is when I went back to hands and heels and really popped the question, he kept finding for me.
"He's got a good turn of foot and I rode him to use that today."
O'Shea was happy to welcome back McDonald and Rawiller and said it was his racing manager Tom Charlton who had been keen to book Rawiller for the King Of Naples ride.
"They bring so much to the table," O'Shea said of the two top jockeys.
"We were lucky to get Nash on him today. Tom was keen to get him on because he thought he'd suit the horse and I'd say it's a fair call."
Quote of the day: "It's all about Zac (Lloyd)." – winning trainer Michael Freedman after Insurrection made it three in a row to cement Lloyd the Sydney apprentices' crown.
