Nash Rawiller has ridden trackwork and trials in New South Wales in recent weeks, including four mounts during Tuesday’s Newcastle trials. One of those was Group 1 galloper Le Romain (Hard Spun {USA}), who cruised into third.
“I’ve been back riding trackwork and trials for a few weeks now, and it’s going great,” said Rawiller, who has reunited with his former Australian manager Liam Prior.
“The first week was pretty rough, trying to get the body back into it after a long absence, but it’s just got better and better since then.
“I can’t wait until next Thursday, where I think I’ve got four rides lined up. I’ve been riding a couple of them over the last few weeks and they’re going well and seem well placed in their races, so hopefully I can start off on a good note.
“My weight’s super. I don’t want to be wasting too much for the first day back, but I’ll be around 56.5 or 57kg.”
“My weight’s super. I don’t want to be wasting too much for the first day back, but I’ll be around 56.5 or 57kg.” – Nash Rawiller.
Hong Kong authorities disqualified Rawiller last year after he was found guilty of receiving gifts or money in exchange for tips.
Rawiller has spoken frankly about his experience, which included being detained at the airport when he attempted to return to Australia.
He lost his passport and was the subject of a five-month investigation, which resulted in his 15-month disqualification, but found no evidence that Rawiller had ridden any horse with the intention other than to obtain the best possible placing, and that he only tipped horses he was riding.
Nash Rawiller
“It was a bit of a shock,” he told Sky Sports Radio. “They investigated me for the next five months and I was held there with my passport taken off me and just had to let it play out.
“They were still very trying times obviously. It was the unknown of not really knowing of where it would all end up.
“I think the positives out of all of it are my family has never been as close.
“I've never had as much respect for my best friends and mates and close family friends and it's probably made me a better person.”
Based in NSW
Now the 44-year-old is eager to get back to doing what he does best, and despite spending most of the last year living in Melbourne, he has opted to base himself in New South Wales.
“There was a bit of a hold-up with my licence in Victoria, so I came up here to ride some work,” he explained.
“Mr (Marc) Van Gestel (Racing NSW chief steward) advised me that the protocols had all been sorted and I’d be able to get back into it here. I had a good chat to my wife and kids about it, and they were fully behind me.
“I rode here in the eight years before I moved to Hong Kong, and I had tremendous success here and built some great relationships. I thought I might be able to capitalise on that to get myself going again.”
“I rode here in the eight years before I moved to Hong Kong, and I had tremendous success here and built some great relationships.” – Nash Rawiller.
As well as multiple Group 1 victories in Australia, Rawiller has also won elite races in New Zealand (Railway S. on Atomic Force (Danehill Dancer {Ire})), Dubai (Dubai Duty Free on Elvstroem (Danehill {USA})) and Hong Kong (Hong Kong Sprint on Mr Stunning (Exceed and Excel)).
He is not getting too carried away with goals for the immediate future, preferring to focus on re-establishing himself in the Australian riding ranks.
“I’m normally someone who likes to set goals for myself, but for the moment I just want to get re-established and show that I’m back,” he said. “I’ll see where it takes me.”
Rawiller will also be keeping a close eye on the progress of his teenaged son Campbell, who has been accepted into the Victorian Apprentices Academy.
“He’s going great,” Rawiller said. “I’m really happy and proud of how he’s coming along. Everyone who’s dealt with him has been really pleased with him, and he’s got a real passion for it which is good to see. Any parent wants their kids to find something that they love doing.”
Campbell Rawiller has been accepted into the Victorian Apprentices Academy
