Rawiller: I want to ride Kementari wherever he goes

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Rawiller: I want to ride Kementari wherever he goes

Nash Rawiller says he will stick with Kementari through to the Stradbroke Handicap next week. Picture: Grant Peters-Trackside Photography

Jockey Nash Rawiller has forged a special bond with Kementari, so much so he says he will follow the horse until he retires, as he heads towards the Stradbroke Handicap next week.

The popular sprinter returns in Saturday’s Group 2 Moreton Cup (1200m) as trainer James Cummings looks to back him up seven days later into the Stradbroke and Rawiller said punters can put a pen through his last run in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000, which was run on a testing track.

While the track rating says it was a Heavy 8, it was not a traditional wet surface, and Rawiller said “Special K” was never able to let rip.

“I felt he wasn’t comfortable on the ground at any stage,” he said.

“That’s not because it was too heavy, it was an Eagle Farm thing, he couldn’t get his footing.

“He loves the wet, when it’s a Heavy 8 or 10 at Randwick, he can get his footing, he is actually quite explosive when you go for him in it.

“On that track last time, I felt like we were slipping and sliding a bit, he never got confidence.”

The popular sprinter holds a special place in Nash Rawiller’s heart following his famous win recently. Picture: Mark Evans-Getty Images

Eagle Farm is almost certain to be in the good range on Saturday, which Rawiller said will present a different set of circumstances.

After receiving the Stradbroke Handicap top weight, Rawiller said he will stick with the seven-year-old, despite history showing he will struggle to win Queensland’s great race.

“He is one of my favourites now, he is a horse that I will hopefully stick to until he retires,” he said.

“I will stick with him wherever he goes if the connections allow it.

“It doesn’t make me more confident going to a hard track in the future but I am sure it will be a different track this time.

“I would be inclined to put a pen through that last start. I just hope he gets a track he can show his best on.”