There was a moment before last month’s Doomben 10,000 that veteran jockey Brad Rawiller was filled with supreme confidence about the chances of his mount Rothfire.
Despite the fact that both of them had spent considerable time in the Group 1 wilderness, Rawiller had this feeling that things were about to change.
It was his first-time sitting on the popular gelding and, instead of following his rivals to the barriers, he took Rothfire to the top of the straight.
Away from other horses, removed form the punters and silent to any voices of doubt, the two entered into an agreement that only a jockey and his horse know.
What happened minutes later will remain the stuff of racing folklore for decades to come.
Weeks later, any thoughts that the pair were ‘Group 1 has-beens’ has surely been put to bed and, at Eagle Farm on Saturday, they will attempt to pen a new chapter in the fairytale by winning Queensland’s biggest race, the Stradbroke Handicap.
“I think we’ve got an understanding of one another, that’s for sure,” Rawiller said.
“At the end of the day, that’s my job, to be able to connect with a horse and there’s no question that we have been able to gel together.
“I think as important as anything was how we went to the gates (before the Doomben 10,000).
“I wanted to make that connection before the race started and if you watched us before the race, everyone goes left straight away but I took him up to the 400m mark, turned around and cantered back.
“He went to pull for 50m but then he dropped the bridle and we just went around to the gates together and it was as if he said ‘yep, I’ve got you’ and I think that was a key factor in the race because he traveled in such a lovely rhythm.
“As far as him being an older horse and me being an older, more experienced rider, I guess you can draw whatever line you want.”
It’s no surprise given the relationship he has built with Rothfire in just two starts this campaign that Rawiller is excited to renew acquaintances with the pin-up sprinter in the Stradbroke.
After his 10,000 victory, the Rob Heathcote-trained galloper was unlucky when little more than a length behind Headley Grange in the G1 Kingsford-Smith Cup.
From Rawiller’s perspective, it was the perfect Stradbroke dress rehearsal and he believes the horse can win, despite his $21 quote with TAB.
“I can’t wait,” he said.
“I think he’s going to be a huge chance again so bring it on.
“I thought he was outstanding last start – I was on the back of Luke Nolen on the Goodwood winner (Desert Lightning) and I needed it to find a bit more coming into the straight.
“If I had have been able to get to the outside of Luke Nolen, I reckon I was a big chance to win.
“There just wasn’t any room inside and I got held up and the crunch time was over for him when he got out.
“I think it was the perfect run for the Stradbroke because he wasn’t bottomed out, he wasn’t knocked down, it was a good confidence run.
“I think he’ll be primed come Saturday.”
At 47, Rawiller’s G1 tally stands at 26 and, after another fruitful week with winners at Donald, Swan Hill and Geelong, he’s edging closer to 3200 career wins.
Being thrust back into the limelight hasn’t renewed a hunger – it was always there – but he hopes it might lead to more regular opportunities in feature races or, at the very least, some consistency at metropolitan meetings.
“It’s what I love doing,” he said.
“I’m competitive through and through and I love that adrenaline rush that racing gives you, it’s what I live for.
“Nash is no different, it’s just how we were brought up.
“It doesn’t matter where I ride a winner, I get a thrill out of it.
“I certainly haven’t got any thoughts about giving it away because I think I’m riding well and I still feel as strong as ever.
“Of course, it would be a dream that this (success on Rothfire) can create more opportunities but when you’re like me and you ride every day, you can’t be thinking that you’re hard done by or you should be getting better rides and riding in bigger races.
“I’ll ride until I can’t ride any longer.”
