By MIKE DILLON
Among the top jockeys who will line up in the Boxing Day races at Ellerslie today is an Australian who by racing standards is considered overweight.
But Nash Rawiller - who at 55kg weighs in at least 4kg heavier than most top riders - has broken the mould to be the current leading rider in Australia for overall number of wins.
The 26-year-old, who is making his New Zealand debut, has finished in the top three in Australia in the past two seasons.
He will square off against New Zealand's leading rider, 16-year-old Michael Walker, in the big race of the day, the $350,000 Mercedes Derby.
Rawiller's mount, Corrupted, is considered a better chance than Walker's outsider, Karadan.
Being heavy severely limits opportunities for top riders because of handicapping, so Rawiller's position as top rider in Australia is all the more extraordinary.
How is he so successful?
"By riding five or six days a week in Victoria," said the unassuming Rawiller.
He is the second tallest jockey in Victoria but has a strike rate the envy of his colleagues.
"I sometimes ride at 54kg, but by riding at 55kg I'm at a weight where I'm at my strongest and generally when a horse has got around that weight they've got form and are nice chances."
Rawiller began a successful apprenticeship, but tailed off in the last part. "In the last 12 months of my apprenticeship I was battling with my weight a bit and as soon as I got on a smart horse I would lose the ride to a senior jock like Damien Oliver.
"It was pretty disheartening at the time, but then I linked up with Tony Noonan and he kept me on the good horses in his stable and really gave me the push forward."
Melbourne racegoers rate Rawiller as a cold, no-nonsense, calculating rider but he does not see himself quite in that mould.
"I can be aggressive when I need to, but I like to adapt to the horse's needs."
And Rawiller will be relatively fresh when he rides Belle Macewan in the first race today - he has just spent two weeks honeymooning on Hayman Island, off Queensland.
Sir Clive and Danamite look to be safe anchors
No better time than now to change record
How the riders rate chances
Walker back in harness
Treble in sight
Racing: Heavyweight jockey bucks the trend
AdvertisementAdvertise with NZME.