Attorney lays down the law

Nash Rawiller stormed home in impressive fashion aboard Attorney to claim the 2020 Sportsbet Pakenham Cup, just ahead of Matt Cumani’s Creedence and the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott-trained Knights Order. Pictures: COURTESY OF RACING PHOTOS/NATASHA MORELLO

By sports editor Russell Bennett

Attorney laid down the law for Matthew Smith as jockey Nash Rawiller powered home the six-year-old bay at the head of a bumper field to claim the $300,000 Sportsbet Pakenham Cup for 2020.

The OTI Racing gelding displayed impressive closing speed in the final stages of the 2500-metre race to storm home just ahead of Creedence and Knights Order, who had a photo finish for the minor placings.

Jye McNeil piloted Our Big Mike to victory in the Pakenham Racing Club’s showpiece event back in 2018, and this time around with Noel Callow on board the horse jumped away well and led down the back – along with Knights Order – into the rain and headwind, with Haky third.

Our Big Mike then looked to extend his lead with 750 metres to run but the highly-fancied Waterhouse and Bott-trained Knights Order pushed hard to the line, with Attorney mounting a compelling closing argument to ultimately take out the top honours for Smith.

This always promised to be a Sportsbet Pakenham Cup like no other, and it proved to be so as Attorney crossed the line in front of just a few hundred spectators and onlookers.

The win was particularly significant for Rawiller, who’s spent an extended period of time away from his family during the Covid-19 pandemic in seriously trying circumstances.

While there were six horses in single-figure odds earlier in the day, Attorney – with Rawiller on-board – was the one the punters truly flocked to.

Speaking to Racing.com in the mounting yard, with winning trophy in-hand straight after the race, he praised his horse and Smith’s training effort.

“He’s a really good stayer,” Rawiller said.

“He’s proved that. It was a bit of a slog (during the race) but he shone through when it counted. He’ll be placed to advantage in the Autumn where he could almost win a Sydney Cup or something like that.

“Full credit to my horse and Matty Smith – they’ve done a great job.”

Rawiller recalled back to 2003 when he last won the Pakenham Cup aboard Mr Casanova for Colin Alderson.

“(The old) Pakenham race track is where we all cut our teeth – the boys from my era,” Rawiller remembered.

“You didn’t necessarily have to be on the best horse to win a race there, and there were a few good times there – don’t worry about that.”

This time around, Attorney rested his case as a real stayer to watch.

Legendary hoop Damien Oliver powered home in the David Bourke Memorial Handicap aboard Tavidance. Pictures: COURTESY OF RACING PHOTOS/NATASHA MORELLO

Earlier in the afternoon, champion hoop Damien Oliver stormed home aboard the Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr-trained Tavidance to win the $100,000 David Bourke Memorial Handicap by nearly four lengths from Night’s Watch.

Tavidance was the red-hot favourite with the punters and justified that faith with a commanding win in another of the Pakenham racing scene’s most significant races.

It holds a special place in the heart of those involved with the Pakenham Racing Club, in particular.

Mr Bourke was just 19 when he replaced his father as the Pakenham Racing Club’s secretary and was the youngest person to ever assume the role of secretary of a Victorian race club – a record that still stands today. He had a lifelong involvement with the Pakenham Racing Club, and his legacy remains.

There is no escaping the fact that this was somewhat of a bittersweet 2020 Sportsbet Pakenham Cup day, one that somewhat mirrored the transition of society at large from Covid hell to Covid normal.

While not the same as the glorious occasions of past editions, it reflected the cautious return to normality for both the racing club and the local community.

For so much more on 2020 Pakenham Cup Day, be sure to pick up a copy of the Pakenham-Berwick Gazette – out first thing Wednesday morning.