Nash Rawiller is the new rider of Innocent Gamble and will partner the exciting colt for the remainder of his Blue Diamond campaign.Trainer Mark Riley confirmed Rawiller would ride Innocent Gamble in Saturday's Group Three Blue Diamond Colts and Geldings Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield and the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on February 20.Rawiller takes over from Damien Oliver who rode the Elvstroem juvenile to a three-quarter length debut victory over Marmaa in the Blue D
Nash Rawiller is the new rider of Innocent Gamble and will partner the exciting colt for the remainder of his Blue Diamond campaign.
Trainer Mark Riley confirmed Rawiller would ride Innocent Gamble in Saturday's Group Three Blue Diamond Colts and Geldings Prelude (1100m) at Caulfield and the $1 million Blue Diamond Stakes (1200m) at the same venue on February 20.
Rawiller takes over from Damien Oliver who rode the Elvstroem juvenile to a three-quarter length debut victory over Marmaa in the Blue Diamond Colts and Geldings Preview (1000m) at Caulfield on Australia Day.
"He (Oliver) said he wanted to keep his options open for the Prelude," Riley said.
"I spoke with the owners and we thought the horse would benefit from having the same rider in the Prelude and the Diamond, so we've gone with Nash."
Innocent Gamble is out of Innocent Baby and is a full-brother to Victoria Derby and Spring Champion Stakes placegetter Viking Legend from the Gai Waterhouse stable.
Bred by Riley and several partners including Victoria's chief harness racing caller Dan Mielicki and his wife Tanya, Innocent Gamble was bought back at the Melbourne Premier Yearling Sale by the Mornington trainer for $150,000 and is raced by the whole group.
A reserve of $160,000 was placed on the colt and Waterhouse was the under bidder on him.
Riley labelled Innocent Gamble a "superstar" after his debut win and expects significant improvement in his next couple of runs.
"When you get these horse who are above average in ability they seem to want to investigate their surroundings and that was the case with him on debut," Riley said.
"He was looking around and did a few things a wrong but he still won and he's only going to keep improving."
Riley said he was likely to put blinkers on Innocent Gamble in the Prelude.
Innocent Gamble is among the top fancies in pre-post betting for the Blue Diamond Stakes.
TAB Sportsbet has him on the fifth line of betting at $11.
The Prelude has 15 nominations and features Blue Diamond $7 favourite Secession and equal second elect Beneteau ($8).
The Peter Snowden-trained Secession won the Breakfast Stakes (1000m) in his only start at Sandown in November.
Beneteau stormed into contention for the Blue Diamond with his debut victory at Randwick on Australia Day.
The fillies Blue Diamond Prelude (1100m) has attracted 16 nominations including Crystal Lily who is locked with Beneteau on $8 for the Blue Diamond.
Crystal Lily was a slashing three length winner of the Blue Diamond fillies Preview (1000m) at Caulfield last Tuesday.