Latest News

By Ray Hickson

Tyler Schiller is adamant under the right circumstances talented sprinter Smashing Eagle is more than up to winning at black type level.

Jockey Tyler Schiller (Pic: Bradley Photos).

But his lot as a backmarker means losses may be more frequent than wins.

However, on the back of a devastating performance two weeks ago Schiller is keen to repeat the dose on the gelding in the Cabra-Vale Diggers Handicap (1100m) at Rosehill on Saturday.

The five-year-old was having his fourth start for Gerald Ryan & Sterling Alexiou when he produced the meeting’s fastest last 600m of 32.69 (Punter's Intelligence) and sizzled from last to first over the same course, in the same class, to hand the hoop a treble on the day.

Schiller said he hopes the race pans out in his favour again but the horse has displayed ability that should take him a bit higher.

“He’s a quality horse. I don’t know when they’re going to get him up to stakes company but he’s improving through his prep,’’ Schiller said.

“Gerald and Sterling have done a really good job with him. He’s had a couple of okay runs and unlucky runs but to see him do it last start was good.

“He has that racing pattern where he’s going to be unlucky more times than not but he’s got a great turn of foot and hopefully he can do it again.”

Smashing Eagle, $3.50 with TAB on Thursday, goes up 2.5kg for his breakthrough win.

It’s been a ‘smashing’ start to life as a senior rider for Schiller, who finished his apprenticeship last month, with seven city winners in August to date and his appeal is illustrated in having eight rides at Rosehill for eight different trainers.

He said the ability to ride light weights is a plus but hopes he can capitalise on the opportunities and repay the faith.

“I didn’t think I’d be able to kick off this quick, now I’ve got to keep it going,’’ he said.

Schiller partners Griff for Ciaron Maher and David Eustace for the second time in the Group 3 $250,000 CMNL Up And Coming Stakes (1300m) and he’s certain the colt can take a step up from a promising return.

Griff finished sixth in the Rosebud over 1100m two weeks ago but he recorded the second fastest last 600m of the race, running 33.27 to be beaten a length and a half.

“I really like the horse, he trialled well and then from the wide gate he probably had to get back a bit too far,’’ Schiller said.

“Hopefully he can settle a tad closer. His sectionals the other day were pretty good coming from the back and he still did a little bit wrong so he’s got a bit of improvement that’s for sure.”

Based on his first-up run, Schiller is confident the extra 200m will be in Griff’s favour and he did show some tactical ability in his maiden win before a break.

“He was a bit keen early but he relaxes great when he finds a back and midrace he was switched off and dropped the bit,’’ he said.

“That’s a good sign for going up in trip.”

There’s a quiet belief that the jump straight from a maiden win into the Group 3 $250,000 Smithfield RSL San Domenico Stakes (1100m) is not entirely beyond the Michael Freedman-trained Moravia.

Smashing Eagle wins at Rosehill on August 12

He was a dominant winner over 900m with Schiller on board two weeks ago, beating Gimcrack Stakes runner-up Perfect Proposal, but it’s the barrier that bothers the jockey.

“He feels like a nice colt and I think Michael has a good opinion of him. He probably needs to draw a bit better but I think he has a lot of upside,’’ he said.

“He’s got good speed early so I’d say he’ll go forward, it depends on how much work we have to do.

“I think he has a good chance without being too confident because of the gate.”

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Rosehill meeting