Written by Paul Vettise
Nash Rawiller’s decision to move back to Melbourne for the festive season delivered an early Christmas present when he guided Attorney (Fr) (Makfi {GB}) to victory in the Listed Pakenham Cup.
Rawiller was enjoying a typically good season in Sydney, but in a year in which COVID-19 has severely limited inter-state movement, he decided to return to Victoria to be closer to family and friends through December.
His son Campbell is a Mornington-based apprentice and was looking forward to riding against him earlier in the program, but that wish was denied when his mount Young Harry Cool (Host {Chi}) was scratched.
However, Rawiller senior’s day ended in triumph when he combined with the Matthew Smith-trained Attorney to land the feature event.
Creedence (Helmet) came through closer to the fence to take second money and Knight’s Order (Ire) (So You Think {NZ}) was on the pace all the way and boxed on for third ahead of Red Alto (High Chaparral {Ire}).
“I’ve had good support and this is the first winner I’ve ridden. It’s great to catch up with old friends and acquaintances that I have ridden for a lot over the years,” Rawiller said.
“It’s great to catch up with old friends and acquaintances that I have ridden for a lot over the years.” – Nash Rawiller
Sporting the OTI colours, Rawiller settled Attorney in the back half of the field before improving near the turn and the 6-year-old rounded off strongly in the straight.
“He’s a really good stayer and proved that in a bit of a slog and really shot through when it counted,” Rawiller said. “Full credit to my horse and Matthew Smith has done a really good job with the horse.”
Nash Rawiller
He believes Attorney can be a major force to be reckoned with in top-class distance company next preparation.
“I think he will be placed to advantage in the autumn when he could almost win a Sydney Cup or something like that, he’s a really nice horse,” said Rawiller, who had experience of the old Pakenham track, but not the new course.
“I think he will be placed to advantage in the autumn when he could almost win a Sydney Cup or something like that, he’s a really nice horse.” – Nash Rawiller
“Pakenham is a track where all the boys from my era cut our teeth. It was a tricky little track and you didn’t necessarily have to be on the best horse to win a race and we all had a few good times.”
Attorney was originally trained in France by Mikel Delzangles and was a winner over 2400 metres from placed from four starts before his purchase by OTI and has now added a further four wins on Australian soil, including the G3 Colin Stephens H. at Rosehill in the spring.
He is the first foal of the stoutly-bred Tia Kia (Ire) (Montjeu {Ire}), who won up to 2400 metres and is a half-sister to the black type winner Commodore (Danehill Dancer {Ire}). Their dam Antioquia (Singspiel {Ire}) won the G3 Prix Fille de l’Air over 2400 metres.
