Nash Rawiller wasn't able to be aboard talented Crossbow when he won brilliantly at Rosehill last start but the gelding's performance that day certainly didn't surprise him.

Rawiller will be back aboard in Saturday's The Rosebud (1200m) at Rosehill when Crossbow takes another step towards a possible tilt at the $1 million Golden Rose.

Crossbow won by 3-1/2 lengths on debut on July 17 with Blake Spriggs in the saddle, but Rawiller has actually had race experience on the Redoute's Choice youngster having ridden him to a win at Gosford last month before that race was deemed void because of a barrier malfunction that affected the start.

"We felt going into his first start (at Gosford) that he would be very hard to beat," Rawiller said.

"I guess form-wise he took a quantum leap when he won at Rosehill but we thought he was a genuine black-type horse in the making."

The Gai Waterhouse-trained rising three-year-old is the dominant favourite at $1.90 with TAB Sportsbet for The Rosebud ahead of the Rick Worthington-trained Howdiddydoit at $5.50.

Champagne Stakes runner-up Sasa was also considered one of the main hopes in early markets but the Tim Martin-trained filly was scratched on Friday due to the heavy track conditions expected at the meeting.

Rawiller is in a good position to be able to judge the ability of Crossbow heading into The Rosebud having ridden Waterhouse's other top two-year-olds from this season including Brightexpectations and More Strawberries.

He's also been aboard talented colt Squamosa who has strung two impressive wins together including last Saturday at Randwick.

He said Crossbow still had to prove it but had shown enough to indicate he had the potential to be up to that standard.

"I love the horse," Rawiller said.

"Everything we've asked he's been able to do, with a bit up his sleeve.

"It's a bit of a rise for him tomorrow but there's no reason why he can't take that next step.

"He definitely gives the impression he'll be better again next preparation, whether he keeps stepping up to the Golden Rose or not we'll have to wait and see. But he's a nice horse."

The Rosehill meeting is the final meeting of what has been a memorable season for Rawiller.

He will claim his first Sydney premiership and also won nine Group One races to be the leading elite-level rider in the country.

Picture: Sportpix