Rawillier last raced in the Australian Cup in 2009 when Gai Waterhouse trained Theseo lost by a hair to Niconero robbing the veteran hoop of his maiden Australian Cup win.
It's been 12 years since he last contested the weight for age contest and with stints in Hong Kong as well as primarily riding in New South Wales opportunities to conquer the Group 1 contest have been limited.
Now Rawillier has the perfect opportunity to get his Australian Cup win aboard Think It Over who sits as $3 favourite.
The Kerry Parker-trained Think It Over won the Group 1 George Ryder Stakes last season before reeling off four wins in his last five spring starts with his only defeats coming at Group 1 level.
Rawiller was aboard for all five of those starts after circumstances fell his way.
“I couldn’t ride him first-up last prep and I was driving Kerry mad to ride him in the trial before he raced because I was keen to get on him,” Rawiller said.
“Kerry said he was going to put Brenton (Avdulla) on him in the trial because he could ride him the whole way through the preparation but he had his fall and I was able to get on him from then on.”
Various lockdowns and restrictions have meant that Think It Over stayed in Sydney over spring however he was able to amass an impressive $2.3m in prize money and Rawillier thinks he’ll become a big player come the Spring.
“I’m sure something like the Cox Plate is high on his agenda this year and hopefully that comes to fruition,” Rawiller said.
The Australian Cup will be Think It Over’s first Melbourne outing. But Rawiller was confident the change of scenery would make no difference to Think It Over’s chances of victory.
Drawing barrier four will only help Think It Over’s chances.
“Racing that way shouldn’t bother him. He’s on a lovely big track at Flemington and it’s not like taking a three-year-old Profondo down there from a wide gate,” Rawiller said.
“He’s got good gate speed and he’s pretty adaptable to most situations I would think.
“Barrier four means, we’re more than likely the first horse into a nice spot.
“He’s been around the traps and I’m sure it will be no problem.”