WS Plays Hand In Memorable Win

Hard-working jockey Brad Rawiller reached a milestone yesterday afternoon and had a WS graduate to thank for it. Bishops Castle by O’Reilly credited the Victorian rider with the 2000th winner of his career when successful at the Sandown meeting.

Rawiller has been best known for his close and successful association with former star galloper Weekend Hussler. He rode him to 11 of his 12 wins including the Caulfield Guineas, Ascot Vale Stakes, Oakleigh Plate, Newmarket Handicap, Randwick Guineas, George Ryder Stakes and the Underwood Stakes at Gr 1 level. He has also won a Golden Slipper on Phelan Ready and a Caulfield Cup aboard Viewed.

“I was thinking about 50 metres out about giving a salute but decided not to,” he said. “I’ve done enough saluting. I probably should have but the stewards might not have been happy.”

Victory for the three-year-old came at his fourth appearance after placing in the previous three for Flemington trainer Michael Moroney. A $170,000 purchase by Moroney’s brother Paul from WS’s 2011 Premier Sale line-up, Bishops Castle is a son of the unraced Zabeel mare Hooked Ona Feeling. She is in turn out of the dual Gr 2 Edward Manifold and Queen of the Turf Stakes winner Ugachaka (Danasinga) who is a half-sister to the Gr 3 Manawatu Challenge Stakes winner Country Rose (Centaine).