Bush great Aaron Bullock will be out to fulfill the role of the absent Nash Rawiller at Rosehill Gardens on Saturday — to make a difference.
Like Rawiller, Bullock is a heavyweight but built a reputation on country circuits and currently sits 12th on the National Premiership from only 436 rides, less than any other jockey in the top 20.
On Tuesday he handled a Taree treble. With the six topliners in Sydney — James McDonald, Zac Lloyd, Tom Berry, Tim Clark, Rawiller and Jason Collett — missing at Rosehill, he gets possibly his best opportunity in numbers at a Saturday metro meeting.
J-Mac and Lloyd are abroad. Lloyd finished a successful stint in the United Kingdom with seven winners and 14 placings from 34 rides. Eagle Farm has attracted others where Rawiller pilots Gerringong in the Group One Tatt’s Tiara.
Still, even in their absence, the depth of the Sydney hoops is emphasised by girl power, particularly apprentices. The advantage of an allowance for them could come against Bullock, booked for eight of the 10 events, on a surface surprising “good” on Friday after recent weather with a rail six metres out. What pattern will this pose?
Ironically he will handle Roussillon for Clare Collett, wife of Jason Collett. Alas Bullock is listed to declare a kilo overweight to 57.5kg. Old timers rate a kilo around half-length in distance. Once it would not have been tolerated by trainers or stewards. Weight makes a difference. The big were bled dry to make the handicap. Healthy jockeys suit me better but it still presents a balance.
For instance, Roussillon will meet strong opposition from Mafia with a two kilo claim for Seima Grima while the talented Anna Roper also gets two off Nullarbor Prince. Will it give them an edge?
Bullock is also listed as a kilo over for Dale (Highway) and a half for Know Thyself (McKell Cup) and Mawjood (Petaluma), the early fancy to beat Grima (Narbold) and Roper (The Creator). Mawjood has drawn out (17), outside Narbold (16).
Seventeen is a sticky number for Bullock. Iceman received it while Mogo Magic (Schweppes) has 16. Other engagements Miss Bushranger (12) and Boys Night Out (13) will also require plenty of help early.
However Know Thyself, Bullock’s best chance, launches from six in the McKell Cup. Know Thyself was three wide throughout when a reasonable seventh over the Randwick 1600 metres under 59kg last start. Untried over Saturday’s 2000 metres? Given the right run, with 57kg, the gelding will handle the distance in a non-claiming race for apprentices. Still Roper can ride Tavros at 53kg. Bullock won the Gunnedah Cup in May on him under 62.5kg.
No doubt it will be argued Gerringong, carrying the John Singleton silks and part-owned by Parramatta Rugby League dignitaries, including Peter Wynn, also renowned at the Bondi Icebergs, has a task from the 13 barrier.
Now with Chris and Corey Munce after her early career with Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott, Gerringong was third recently from the seven after being three wide, under Craig Williams, facing the breeze throughout in the Group Two Dane Ripper on the Eagle Farm heavy.
Williams is astute but he ain’t Rawiller, again seen to advantage on the Clarry Conners prepared Miss Maree, for Singo, at Warwick Farm on Wednesday.
Of course the Eels need a lift after being wupped by the Mighty Rabbits on Thursday night. It would not have been as easy if the losers had Wynn, Mick Cronin and Bob O’Reilly some of the other part owners in Gerringong.
Perhaps Gerringong will give them reason to “refresh the account”, shouted by a race caller during a description of a recent easy winner. It grated. What happened to “get on the pay queue”? If I hit the modern key it would disappear into some cloud never to arrive.
Anyway I will be taking Firestorm, $26 on Friday, in the Tatt’s Tiara trifecta. Drew 10 last start and received “given no hope” assessment by “Best Bets”.
Know Thyself Glue Onn Shoes Max, Big NO NO