Rawiller Tips Valour Road for Railway

A top ride from gun jockey Brad Rawiller was a driving force behind Valour Road (Frost Giant-Melba Avenue, by Street Sense) winning the Gr3 Hyperion Stakes at Belmont on Saturday. Formerly based in Victoria, the Western Australia native has, despite a shocking fall and consequent serious injury, been riding in strong form since his return to the west. According to rwwa.com.au, Rawiller had Valour Road box seating in third and got him off the fence before the 5YO let down powerfully over the final 50m to overhaul stablemate Dance (Music War Chant) and Money Matters (Canford Cliffs). The Frost Giant gelding who claimed the Gr2 Karrakatta Plate as a 2YO – see below – was a $60,000 Magic Millions Perth yearling, and improved his record to eight wins from 25 starts for $1.1 million in prizemoney. Rawiller enthused, "He really deserved the win, he got the roll of the dice with the run. His last 20 metres was outstanding and he really powered to the line." Having already won over a mile in the Gr3 Hyperion Stakes at Belmont this year, Rawiller suggested the Gr1 Railway Stakes (1600m) later in the year at Ascot is worth considering. "Why not the Railway?" Rawiller asked. "This field, even though it's in the winter, it's a top-class race and he's been the best horse in it." From 25 starts, Valour Road has either won or finished runner-up in 10 black type races.