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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Nash Rawiller is adamant import Age Of Sail has a big race staying win written all over him so he’s hoping to make a statement at Randwick on Saturday and avenge his luckless last start defeat.

Jockey Nash Rawiller (Pic: Steve Hart)

While the six-year-old would be near the top of trainer Kris Lees’ potential Newcastle Cup hopefuls, Rawiller wouldn’t be surprised if he snares the Sydney spring’s staying Group 1.

Age Of Sail, $2.30 with TAB on Thursday, chases his second Australian win in the TAB Handicap (2400m).

“I really think he is a promising horse and he’s heading in the right direction,’’ Rawiller said.

“Obviously he was pretty unlucky last time and I’m just hoping we can have that bit of luck and get him back on track.

“He’s the type of horse that could make it to the Metropolitan and be hard to beat.”

At present Age Of Sail is a $51 chance in the Metropolitan, run on October 5.

Rawiller found himself dictated to by James McDonald on the winner Kapakiri in a 2400m contest at Rosehill three weeks ago and the race was all over when he finally got to the outside and made a late charge.

He clocked the fastest last 200m in the race of 11.52 (Punter's Intelligence), a clear length quicker than anything else, and meets Kapakiri 1.5kg better for a narrow defeat.

“I don’t think the gap ever really came,’’ Rawiller said.

“You could see there before the corner, before I really committed I felt like James was starting to make his run out and I’d gone to slide through inside him and it’s like he caught me on the inside of his eye and set the perfect trap.

“It was his first time over the trip and I probably tried to ride him a bit cute.

“He has a good turn of foot, last preparation he felt like he was tending to feel the ground a bit but the way he let down the other day he feels well placed to go on with the job.”

It’s been some 18 months since Rawiller sent Well Timed through his paces in his first official trial and he’ll finally partner the Kerry Parker-trained gelding on race day in the Midway Handicap (1100m).

Well Timed, who carries the same colours as Think It Over, had a breakthrough campaign earlier this year and Rawiller is looking forward to seeing how he’s developed.

“I had a bit to do with him early days and he was showing signs of being a promising horse but just needed a bit of time,’’ he said.

“Kerry has taken him along slowly and got his confidence up in weaker grade and now he’s ready to go on with the job.

“Hopefully he can put his hand up and indicate he could win a decent race.”

Rawiller said he certainly wouldn’t begrudge Dr Evil a win in the Toyota Forklifts Handicap (1600m) despite not having the heavy ground the horse prefers.

Age Of Sail runs second at Rosehill on July 20

The six-year-old has been runner-up in his past two starts at Midway level, including being nosed out by Charming Legend when Rawiller partnered him last on July 13.

He chased home Green Shadows, who he’ll meet with a 2kg turnaround in his favour, two weeks ago.

“He’s in great form, they are pretty competitive races those Midways and without letting anyone down he hasn’t quite been able to pinch one,’’ he said.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday’s Randwick meeting