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Racing NSW Stewards today resumed an inquiry into Nash Rawiller’s riding of Jailbreak in race 4 (Exceedence New to Vinery Handicap, 1250m) at the Kensington race meeting on Wednesday, 30 September 2020.

Of concern to the Stewards was Nash Rawiller’s riding of the gelding in the home straight and whether there was an opportunity to take advantage of a run that developed between Xanthus and Avadane for a short distance after entering the home straight and again leaving the 250m.

Jailbreak raced in a position trailing Xanthus until a point approaching the 150m at which point it had to be steadied after being disappointed for a run between Xanthus and Mission River when both horses shifted ground.

Nash Rawiller explained that shortly after leaving the 400m he observed that a narrow run had developed between Xanthus and Avadane, however, at this stage of the race he was content to continue to trail the favoured runner Xanthus as it had made ground on the leader Avadane and was racing on terms with that runner in the early stages of the straight.

He added that at the same point a run had commenced to develop to the outside of Xanthus due to Mission River hanging out and he believed that this run would continue to widen, and with Mission River weakening, he would be able to move that runner wider to secure clear running later in the straight if he had need to do so.

Nash Rawiller further stated that leaving the 250m when a run was available between Xanthus and Avadane, he observed Xanthus shift in and he therefore attempted a run between Xanthus and Mission River that had developed due to this shift, however, was disappointed for that run when Xanthus shifted back out.

After considering the explanations provided by jockey Nash Rawiller, he was informed that the explanation provided for remaining to race behind Xanthus leaving the 400m was accepted on the basis that it was a narrow run between Xanthus and Avadane and any amount of movement from either runner would result in Jailbreak having to be checked as it was not positioned to resist a shift from either runner as Xanthus and Avadane were racing on terms in advance of Jailbreak at that stage.

However, he was advised that in the opinion of the Stewards he had made an error of judgement by not positioning Jailbreak into a run to the inside of Xanthus and outside Avadane leaving the 250m when that run was available.

In determining that this error was not blameworthy, Stewards had regard to the fact that a run did develop to the outside of Xanthus and to the inside of Mission River for a short distance leaving that point and the positioning of Mission River, being back and to the outside of Xanthus would have made it easier for Jailbreak to resist slight movement from either runner as Jailbreak had nearly advanced to be on terms with Mission River.