Racing NSW handicappers have indirectly played their part in helping Nash Rawiller reunite with Gai Waterhouse's exciting sprinter Squamosa.On the back of a hefty ratings penalty for a brilliant first-up June Stakes win, Squamosa has been handicapped in Rawiller's weight range for the $100,000 Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford on Friday."They (the handicappers) haven't missed him in the ratings but at least Nash will now be able to take the ride," Tulloch Lodge racing manager Bruce Slade said."T

Racing NSW handicappers have indirectly played their part in helping Nash Rawiller reunite with Gai Waterhouse's exciting sprinter Squamosa.

On the back of a hefty ratings penalty for a brilliant first-up June Stakes win, Squamosa has been handicapped in Rawiller's weight range for the $100,000 Takeover Target Stakes at Gosford on Friday.

"They (the handicappers) haven't missed him in the ratings but at least Nash will now be able to take the ride," Tulloch Lodge racing manager Bruce Slade said.

"This time of year is especially hard for Nash to get below 55.5kg."

Squamosa has received 55.5kg for the Listed race after he carried the limit weight in the June Stakes.

Rawiller last rode Squamosa when the three-year-old confirmed trainer Gai Waterhouse's opinion he is a horse on the rise with his gritty Golden Rose placing last year.

But Jim Cassidy was in the saddle when Squamosa trounced his rivals in the June Stakes at Randwick on June 11.

The victory dispelled doubts about Squamosa's fitness after the colt was forced out of this year's Magic Millions carnival as well as the Sydney autumn.

Slade said the holidaying Waterhouse could size up more winter options for Squamosa beyond the Takeover Target.

"Gai could consider backing him up in the Civic Stakes (at Rosehill) before giving him a short break break and getting him ready for the Manikato Stakes in the spring," he said.

Waterhouse has flagged the possibility of an international campaign, saying during her visit to Royal Ascot last week that the 2012 five-day racing festival is already on Squamosa's radar.

The Takeover Target Stakes has attracted 17 nominations and the depth of entry surprised Slade.

"I wasn't sure if some horses would be scared off (by Squamosa) but there's definitely going to be strong opposition there," he said.

Heading the weights is last year's winner Border Rebel with 58.5kg - the same weight he carried to victory in 2010.

Border Rebel is coming off a Stradbroke Handicap failure but trainer Sue Grills is hoping a soft track will help the sprinter rebound.

Darley has two entries with trainer Peter Snowden nominating Skytrain (54.5kg) and Mascareri (53kg).

Skytrain was one of the favourites to win last year's edition before losing rider Kerrin McEvoy in a home turn incident which led to Border Rebel's jockey Tim Bell being suspended for improper riding.

Veteran speedster Motspur, who relegated Border Rebel into fourth place in the feature sprint during the Scone Cup carnival has been entered along with fellow Novacastrian Prince Braeman.

In-form Jest Crewsin' is nominated while other Sydney entries include Sacred Orders and Title from the respective Warwick Farm stables of Gary Portelli and Joe Pride.

Hay List's trainer John McNair will carry the hopes for a Gosford victory with last year's placegetter My Vegas and Royal Discretion.