Brad Rawiller has won feature races across Australia in his decorated riding career.
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A Benchmark 64 Handicap on a Sunday afternoon doesn't hold the glitz and glamour of a Group race at Flemington or Randwick, but Rawiller's winning ride on Star Hills on his home track at Bendigo on Sunday gave him just as a big a thrill.
Star Hills is trained by Allen Browell - the legendary Bendigo trainer who is his final season of training.
Browell is Brad Rawiller's uncle and he was the champion hoop's master when he started his apprenticeship 25 years ago.
"Very special win this. Allen will retire at the end of the season and he was such a big part of my career, getting me started,'' an elated Rawiller told racing.com after the win.
"Darren Browell and Colin Browell were all an integral part of my progression through the ranks.
"To get this win at Bendigo is really special.
"Allen said to me in the last couple of months that I needed to ride another winner for him before he retires.
"I've got that winner and it's at Bendigo, which is our home track where we all grew up, and I'm pretty excited."
Star Hills, a four-year-old son of Browell's smart sprinting mare Two Hills, won in a photo finish from favourite Expansion.
It was his third win this campaign and fourth career victory.
"He's a great little horse,'' Val Browell, Allen's wife, said.
"Last time in he had quite a few issues that were big enough to stop him.
"He's had no issues this time in and he's just loving racing."
Star Hills' win was the highlight of an otherwise frustrating day of placings for the local trainers.
Shane Fliedner prepared Recycle to run second in the 1600m maiden, while the Rod Symons-trained Bedouin King was a close-up third in a another 1600m maiden.
Kyneton trainer Michael Jones had favourite Fergus Magergus run third in at Benchmark 64 level, while Vungers was a solid third in the final event for Bendigo trainer Brendon Hearps.
Sutton Grange trainer Brent Stanley had Snipes run a narrow second in the feature event the Winter Championship Heat.
