Jockey Tyler Schiller teamed up with Team Hawkes to land a meaningful victory at Canterbury, providing a timely boost for the Johnson family’s famous yellow and white silks.
Schiller guided stayer Tastula to success on Wednesday, just days before he is set to reunite with Group 1 star Briasa in Saturday’s The Shorts (1100m) at Randwick.
The win carried added significance for Schiller, who only resumed riding six weeks ago after nearly three months on the sidelines with a fractured T8 vertebrae suffered in a fall during May.
It was his first win since returning, and he was relieved to be back in the winner’s circle.
“Finally. I carved a few corners out of the stone and got the ball moving,” Schiller said.
“Hopefully there are good things to come on the weekend with the colours of the Johnson family. Hopefully Briasa can do the same.”
Having his tenth career start in the Captivant @ Kia Ora Handicap (1900m), Tastula showed he has more to give, with Schiller convinced the gelding will step up in grade and distance.
“I took him out at the 500 (metres) and he kept up a really strong gallop to the line,” Schiller said.
“He is definitely Saturday grade in staying company. He got to them quite sharply today from the 200 (metres) and he was floating a bit. I think he’s still got more improvement there.
“He’s a big, rangy horse and he will get further.”
Also at Canterbury, Gerald Ryan introduced Snitzel Dancer, who impressed on debut by winning the TAB Handicap (1250m). Despite being under pressure early behind Curie and Shangri La Boy, the filly dug deep late to prevail.
“She has always shown good promise,” Ryan said.
“When you look at her, she looks like she is going to get better as a later three-year-old but she is a nice filly and goes quite well.
“We will poke around and I reckon the autumn will be her time to shine. A race like the James Carr Stakes.”
Bettors keen to follow Briasa’s Everest campaign starting in The Shorts can secure odds through Australia’s top betting sites.