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By Ray Hickson

Jockey Tyler Schiller takes great encouragement from knowing underrated sprinter Willaidow is a better horse when he’s allowed to get into a rhythm.

Tyler Schiller (Pic: Bradley Photos).

The six-year-old’s first six wins were all the way victories and it was thought that’s how he has to be ridden for greatest effect but he’s reacted to tracking the leader in his past two, either side of a spell.

So Schiller says that stands him in good stead for the Group 3 $250,000 Liverpool City Cup (1300m) at Randwick on Saturday.

Willaidow, $4.60 with TAB on Friday, followed the leader Hard To Say then held off the challenge of Iowna Merc to win the Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m) first-up.

“It probably made it easier when James (McDonald) led and went a good galop, Schiller said.

“I don’t know if he would have over raced if the pace was steadier.

“It would have been interesting to see after digging him up from barrier one and holding a spot if he’d been a hard ride.

“In the end it was quite comfortable. He was a bulldog in the end and was very game.”

It’ll be a different situation in the Liverpool City Cup with the Marc Conners-trained gelding drawing the outside and that suits Schiller as he’ll be in his comfort zone with most expecting him to lead.

He only meets Iowna Merc 1kg worse for that fresh win and Schiller said he responded when that horse challenged him.

“He’s a horse you just have to let stride and keep him in his comfort zone and when they come to him he’ll do his best to stave them off,’’ he said.

“He feels like he’s a horse with a lot of upside. You don’t know how far they can go when they give their all and don’t want horses to pass them.

“I feel like he doesn’t necessarily bolt away with it until they challenge him and then he’s happy to fight.

“He’s probably not going to win by big margins but as long as he’s winning he’s on the way up.”

Fawkner Park has been thrown in the deep end in the Group 1 $1m TAB Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) and Schiller said he can only hope for a return that can set up his autumn campaign.

He’s been at the tail of the field in his two barrier trials so Schiller can only go on feel and from that perspective he’s happy enough, but concedes beating the likes of Via Sistina and company is unlikely.

“I think he’s going well, it’s hard to judge off the trials when he’s up against sprinter milers,’’ he said.

“He’s given a good feel, he’s moving well and looking terrific. I can’t fault him but we’ll have to wait and see how he progresses.

Willaidow wins at Rosehill on February 1

“It’s going to be a tough task to finish in the top four or five but if he can it’ll show how good he’s going.”

Tyler Schiller on Lilac (race 7): “I think she will improve a bit off (the Light Fingers), Annabel and Rob’s horses usually improve into their preparation. I thought she was pretty tough, I think she will improve going further. Even next start if she’s stepping past 1400m I think she’ll appreciate a mile. Hopefully we can be in front of (Lady Shenandoah) and give her something to run down.”

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