The Melbourne jockey’s premiership is still well in the balance with Craig Williams heading to Flemington on Saturday one win ahead of Dwayne Dunn with both riders having several winning chances on the nine event race card.
Black Tomahawk, above, is one of Craig Williams’ main chances at Flemington. Photo by Ultimate Racing Photos.
With only three meetings remaining, Williams is on 66 wins for the 2015 – 2016 racing season while Dunn edged one win closer to be on 65 after beating Williams in the first race at Ladbrokes Park at Sandown on Wednesday.
Williams didn’t get a chance to return serve after the rest of the meeting was abandoned due to some safety concerns with the track after his mount Gridelin stumbled badly on the home turn when leading.
While Dunn made up a little ground in the premiership race, Williams said that was the furthest thing from his mind and he was just happy that the incident on the home turn didn’t result in something far worse.
“While I lost one in the premiership, I’m glad to be going home safely tonight to my family,” Williams told racing.com.
“She slipped, or put her foot in a hole or something, but lucky she popped up, I get to go home without an ambulance.”
“It was clearly unsafe and remedial work had to be done.”
Williams has selected Black Tomahawk, Award Of Merit and Name The Day as his best three for the day and below are his thoughts on all seven mounts.
“I think I have three really strong winning chances – Black Tomahawk, Award Of Merit and Name The Day,” Williams said.
Race 1 – Loch Oir – “Won on a heavy track. Back to a good track and harder race. Assuming we won’t be on a heavy track at Flemington.”
Race 2 – Zebrinz – “Strong field. If he finds his best form will be one of the main players.”
Race 3 – Name The Day – “He is a great chance.”
Race 5 – Kinshaci – “Going well, does handle soft ground extremely well. She is one of the main players.”
Race 7 – Black Tomahawk – “I think he is a great ride. He looks like he is back to capturing his form when he ran at Caulfield when fifth in the Herbert Power. He drops down to the minimum and has drawn a good gate.”
Race 8 – Award Of Merit – “I think he is a strong chance in a very competitive race.”
Race 9 – Badajoz – “His form warrants his weight. On his form he is very consistent.”
Dunn has selected the Christopher Davis trained Just Stellar as his best and below are his thoughts on his six rides.
“Probably Just Stellar early in the day so hopefully we can get some scores on the board early and put some pressure on Craig,” Dunn said.
Race 1 – Stately Boy – “Really nice progressive horse. I think this horse can acquit himself well.”
Race 3 – Triple Gold – “He needs the right run in transit and I think he can produce something. He is definitely up to a race like this.”
Race 5 – Just Stellar – “Good run last start at Sandown. If it produces its Sandown effort I think it has to be thereabouts in the finish.”
Race 6 – Bon Rocket – “He is a very consistent horse.”
Race 8 – Victory Downs – “It was a great effort last start and hopefully he can carry on and keep winning.”
Race 9 – Ability- “All reports from the stable are that they expect to see its best performance it has seen for a while and they are really happy with the way it has come back this time in.”
