Golden Slipper Day 2013 produced the best horses and best jockeys fighting for more than $7 million in prize money.
Headlines will tell you about the brilliance of Overreach and the training performance by Gai Waterhouse to win the Golden Slipper for a fifth time – and take third place as well, by the way.
They might also mention the BMW win of three-year old colt Fivenadhalfstar who gamely beat the older horses and broke his recent streak of finishing runner-up.
Or you could read about the brilliant colt Pierro, who was given a fight down the Rosehill straight but battled gamely to win over 10 time Group 1 winner, King Mufhasa.
But will enough be made about the failure of More Joyous?
Sydney’s best mare failed to run a place in the Queen of the Turf stakes, despite winning both the 2011 and 2012 editions of the race and going into the race a hot $1.70 favourite.
It was the performance of lead jockey Nash Rawiller which will have people talking. More Joyous can only run as she is piloted.
The race unfolded badly for Rawiller. He bounded out badly on More Joyous, leaving the gates fairly but only in line with others. Despite being in barrier 1, she was crossed and trailed two horses out in front of her. She prefers to run out in front, daring others to try and head her.
As the race progressed, other runners closed in around her and by the corner, she hadn’t found her way out of trouble.
Into the straight, the Rawiller attempted to get clear but without clear galloping room, was squeezed out of a run between Streama and the tiring Spirit Song with around 300-400 metres to go down the straight.
Rawiller finally checked the horse, moved her to the outside and she closed well to finish fifth.
It was a shocking ride. Yet, the old lines were brought out by connections. John Singleton was forgiving, saying it wasn’t her day.
Rawiller was more apologetic, but seemed somewhat indignant: “She was a certainty beaten. Everyone saw what happened, it wasn’t her day. What do you do.”
Well, Nash. Not being a jockey, I don’t know exactly. But the problem is, Joyous was the best horse, from the best barrier.
What do you do? Ride aggressively. Don’t get put where they want to put you. Hugh Bowman out-thought you in terms of tactics, and staying off the fence didn’t help.
The best jockeys, time and again, fight for every slim chance. It makes betting on a Rawiller horse that much harder.
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