Rawiller and Meritable pair team up at Rosehill

Posted by RS NewsWire at 7:36am on January 18th

Mark Minervini is banking on the renowned horsemanship of Nash Rawiller to help extract the best from budding stallion Meritable when the pair team up at Rosehill.

Group 1 placed in the New Zealand 2000 Guineas at three, Meritable hasn’t quite gone on with the job in his handful of starts since arriving in Australia almost two years ago.

However, he turned in his best performance for some time when runner-up to Dragonstone in the Listed Starlight Stakes (1100m) at his first appearance for Minervini in December, before finishing down the track behind Noble Soldier last time out.

The horse heads into the Rosehill Bowling Club Handicap (1200m) at Rosehill on Saturday with a month’s break between runs and combined with the booking of Rawiller, Minervini hopes it is a winning formula.

“I think the older horses with a bit of a mind, Nash might be the right man for the job,” Minervini said.

“He seems to be able to get the best out of horses that other guys can’t, so I’m hoping it’s the right move, but the proof will be in the pudding on Saturday.”

Meritable is raced by New Zealander Colin Wightman, who bought the entire with the plan of standing him in his homeland to serve his group of broodmares.

The timing of the acquisition wasn’t right for a career change last season, so having seen Minervini’s success with tried horses such as stakes winner Hosier, Wightman sent Meritable to the Newcastle-based trainer.

“He bought him to stand on the South Island of New Zealand. Incredibly, there are no sons of Snitzel there and Colin has got a broodmare band of his own, maybe fifteen or twenty mares, so his intention is to use him,” Minervini said.

“It was too late in the season to retire last year, so at this stage he will go to stud this season.

“Hopefully he can win a race or two in Sydney which would cap off his resume.”

Minervini also confirmed that Premier’s Cup winner Hosier was back in pre-training and would be set for an autumn carnival campaign with the Doncaster Mile his goal.

More Racing News

Skybird out to upset Black Caviar Lightning Stakes 2025

Skybird may be one of the outsiders in Saturday’s Black Caviar Lightning, but if trainer Mitch Freedman gives the green light, she will be continuing a strong family tradition in the prestigious 1000m Group 1 event at Flemington. The Ballarat-based trainer is still considering whether the Lightning Stakes or next week’s...

Yesterday

Sepals tackles the CS Hayes Stakes at Flemington

Race programming can often be a significant challenge for horse trainers. Finding suitable races for promising horses to progress through the grades and accumulate prize money for their owners isn’t always straightforward. At times, trainers are left with no choice but to enter their horses in tougher races than ideal. This...

Yesterday

G1 Golden Slipper aspirations on the line at Randwick

With the Golden Slipper now just five weeks away, anticipation is building for the southern hemisphere’s richest two-year-old race. Several promising juveniles will be looking to make their mark at Randwick this weekend. Among the 11 competitors in the Pierro Plate (1100m), three contenders are currently listed at $26 with betting...

Yesterday

Fancify chasing more Flemington glory in Frances Tressady Stakes

Trainer Michael Hickmott is eager to build upon the impressive track record of Fancify as she prepares to compete in a Stakes event at Flemington. With seven victories from 14 career starts, Fancify has established a strong affinity with Flemington, boasting two wins and a runner-up finish in her three appearances...

Yesterday

Maher team chase important G1 win in Black Caviar Lightning Stakes

The Ciaron Maher stable is eagerly anticipating the upcoming showdown between their promising three-year-old, Growing Empire, and the highly regarded colt from New South Wales, Switzerland. The two last crossed paths during the spring carnival, where Switzerland claimed victory in the Group 1 Coolmore Stud Stakes (1200m) at Flemington, leaving Growing...

Yesterday

Wide draw an unwanted barrier for Manaal in the Light Fingers Stakes

A sparse spring and an extended break have provided an ideal foundation for standout filly Manaal to make her presence felt in the Sydney autumn carnival, beginning with the Light Fingers Stakes. With owners Emirates Park eager to keep the three-year-old in racing beyond this season, trainer Michael Freedman decided to...

Yesterday

G1 Tancred Stakes a target for trouble-free Arapaho

Staying talent Arapaho may not be expected to challenge frontrunners like Via Sistina and Ceolwulf in his season opener at the Apollo Stakes, but trainer Bjorn Baker remains positive about his long-term campaign. After a difficult 18 months following his 2023 Tancred Stakes victory, Arapaho returned to form last spring, closing...

Yesterday

Magic Time read to go in the Expressway Stakes

With six career victories and over $2.6 million in prize earnings, Magic Time has proven to be an exceptional mare. Trainer Grahame Begg is convinced she has returned to the stables in even better shape. The dual Group 1 winner is set to launch her latest campaign in the Expressway Stakes...

Yesterday

Watson plans to Storm Away with the Magic Millions WA Classic

Storm Away delivered a strong first-up performance on debut at Ascot last Saturday. Trained by Mitchell Pateman, the gelding finished second but left a lasting impression despite the narrow defeat. After breaking slowly and racing wide, he surged to the front but was edged out by Monte Tremezzo by a long head. A...

Yesterday

Seven internationals entered for Sydney autumn carnival

Maestro trainer William Haggas is once again setting his sights on Sydney’s prestigious autumn carnival, nominating three of his top runners, including the seasoned Group 1 campaigner, Dubai Honour. Haggas’ trio is part of a strong international contingent, with a total of seven overseas horses being aimed at marquee events. These...

Feb 12th