Right: Jockey Craig Newitt and Cranbourne trainer Michael Kent after Collodi’s win in the Ready Workforce Fillies and Mares Maiden Plate at Cranbourne on Sunday.TOP-rated jockey Nash Rawiller rode a running double in the two main races on the card at Cranbourne on Sunday.
Rawiller triumphed on Flying Langfuhr for trainer Tony Vasil in the seventh event, the $35,000 Class 6 Handicap, and promptly backed up by piloting locally prepared five-year-old Chinotto to the line for Bruce Purcell in the race eight Class 2 Showcase over 1400 metres.
It was a good tune-up for Rawiller, who is hoping to hit peak form and have a successful spring carnival.
Apprentice hoop Ben Melham also kicked two winners home on the day, while leading metropolitan trainer Lee Freedman picked up a double with victories in the second and fourth races, both maidens.
Locally based jockeys Peter Mertens and Lincoln Coffey also booted home winners on the day.
Cranbourne trainer Mick Kent joined Purcell in the winners’ circle when he led in Collodi, ridden superbly by Craig Newitt, in the third race, but that ended the locals’ joy when the day’s other seven events went the way of visiting trainers.
The next meeting at Cranbourne will be held on Thursday, 21 September and will be followed by Cranbourne Cup day on Sunday, 15 October – the first Sunday date for the club’s showcase meeting.
– Brad Kingsbury
