Rawillers in the west

Perth is rapidly becoming a “second home” for the Rawiller brothers after leading Sydney-based jockey Nash Rawiller emulated Group 1 winning exploits of younger brother Brad in Perth, guiding the much-travelled Sniper’s Bullet to a well-deserved win in $1 million Group 1 Carlton Draught Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot on Saturday.

The win was just reward for Nash, 34, who finished a desperately unlucky second on the David Hayes-trained Confectioner, behind the flying local mare Belle Bizarre, in the 2006 Railway.

Before Saturday’s success Brad, 31, who had upstaged his older brother in the West with brilliant winning rides on the Hayes-trained Niconero in the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (wfa, 1800m) in 2006 and 2008.

Nash’s Railway success capped a great day for the family after his sister Stacey, 21, broke through for her first metropolitan success, on the fast front-running mare Roof Raiser at Sandown. She beat Brad, who rode second placegetter Hairy. Stacey is unbeaten on the mare, also winning at Kilmore and Seymour this preparation.

It was a vintage Nash Rawiller ride on Sniper’s Bullet. He fired the 6YO out hard from gate 12 of the testing Ascot mile to work across and sit outside the leader, Keytomoney (Willie Pike), who also carved across quickly from his outside barrier.

Sniper’s Bullet was considered by many to be a certainty beaten last year behind Gilded Venom, when badly held up on the fence, but this year Rawiller heeded trainer Tracey Bartley’s instructions to “take no prisoners” and, after controlling the speed throughout, he cut loose at the 600m to dash to a clear lead upon straightening in what proved to be a daring and race-winning move.

Game local Tarzi (Paul Harvey) tried hard and managed to whittle the margin back to a length, while the emerging Colour Correct (Lucas Camilleri) battled on well to hold down third despite being forced to travel three wide throughout.

It was a training triumph for the self-described “boy from the bush” Bartley, who had timed Sniper’s Bullet preparation perfectly, despite most punters (his SP was $17) and a large selection of the racing media having sacked him before the race as a “non-winner”.

Sniper’s Bullet went to the post easily the least fancied of the strong Eastern States contingent. Gold Salute (Damien Oliver) started a clear $4 favourite, but the gelding did not raise his supporters hopes at any stage after settling back in the field and struggled home in 14th place – a veterinary check after the race showed Gold Salute was sore. Trainer Mark Riley will send him for a spell.

The highly-rated Tony Noonan-trained mare Ortensia again showed that she was suspect at a strong mile when, after running to a clear second in the straight, she faded over the last 100m to finish sixth. Noonan is considering backing up Ortensia in Saturday’s Group 2 Winterbottom Stakes (wfa, 1200m).

Hayes’ pair All American (11th) and Largo Lad (12th) was disappointing after having every chance. All American didn’t back up from his career-defining Group 1 win in the Emirates Stakes (1600m) at Flemington; the giant Largo Lad, having only his second run this preparation, is likely to head towards the Group 1 Kingston Town Classic (wfa 1800m).