RAWILLER CALLED UP FOR BUFFALO IN PMC FINAL

THE Buffalo camp has called on Nash Rawiller for Saturday week’s Provincial-Midway Championships Final (1400m) at Royal Randwick.

Rawiller’s manager Liam Prior this morning confirmed the booking for the talented Newcastle three-year-old in the $1m feature.

“Nash has had some luck for the stable before, and is happy to be on Buffalo,” Prior said.

Trainer David Atkins skilfully prepared the lightly-raced Buffalo for a first-up triumph in his home track Qualifier (1400m) on February 28, defeating Wyong trainer Damien Lane’s Oakfield Jupiter and Newcastle trainer Kris Lees’ Lord Of Biscay (runner-up in last year’s PMC Final).

It was the gelding’s first start since finishing fifth to Nepotism in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes (1600m) at Randwick on April 19 last year.

A fortnight earlier at the same track, with Hong Kong ace Zac Purton aboard, Buffalo ran third to Vinrock in the Group 1 Sires (1400m).

Buffalo, a gelded son of Written By, has raced only seven times for two wins and as many placings.

He won a 2YO Maiden Plate (1200m) at home on March 20 last year prior to his runs in the Sires and Champagne.

Aaron Bullock partnered the gelding in his Newcastle Qualifier success, but was subsequently injured in a fall at Taree a few days later (and is sidelined indefinitely) when his mount shifted out abruptly after winning a Benchmark 66 Handicap.

Rawiller won the 2022 Provincial-Midway Final for fellow Newcastle trainer Kris Lees on Kinloch, and also rode Promitto to victory for Atkins in a Midway Benchmark 72 Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on January 24.

Buffalo races in the same colours as Promitto for the pair’s breeder-owner Matt Chidgey.

In the latest TAB.com.au market on the PMC Final, Buffalo is on fourth line of betting at $11, behind last year’s winner Matcha Latte ($3.50), Banjora ($4.50) and Hawkesbury mare Oui Oui Oui ($9).

Promising Sydney four-year-old Banjora is the only one of the four yet to qualify, and will attempt to do so in tomorrow’s Wild Card (1400m) at Newcastle.

The first three placegetters secure the final spots in the 15-horse field for the Final.

Unluckily beaten when slowly away and third to Mogul Monarch in the Gosford Qualifier (1200m) on March 14, Banjora is a firm favorite ($1.75) for the Wild Card.

Zac Lloyd, who won the 2024 PMC Final whilst an apprentice on Territory Express, comes to Newcastle after a highlight Rosehill Gardens four winner haul last Saturday.

Tasoraay and Ouragan, who both failed to reach the Final in last Saturday’s sixth Qualifier (1350m) at Wyong, have been withdrawn from the Wild Card along with Rosehill winner Annie’s Rose, reducing the field to 10.

And it is not yet known if $61 outsider Orthie’s Boys, who ran ninth in the Wyong race, will back up tomorrow.

There are a number of gear changes in the Wild Card, with Lord Of Biscay (Dylan Gibbons) to wear a tongue tie, The Mona Lisa (Andrew Calder) races in visors, and Wild Thoughts and Miss Spacegirl race in winkers and blinkers respectively, both for the first time.

. The rail is out 2m at Newcastle for the eight-race program (the Wild Card is the seventh at 4.50pm), and course manager Chris Nation this morning posted a “Good 4” rating.

STORY JOHN CURTIS, MARCH 30, 2026 - PICS BRADLEY PHOTOS