Williams Could Get Belated Dunaden Ride

Retribution could be coming for Craig Williams with the Australian jockey likely to rekindle his association with Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden.

Williams was in the form of his life and shooting for history in the 2011 Melbourne Cup before he was slapped with a suspension that ruled him out of Australia’s most famous race.

He was replaced by Christophe Lemaire and the rest is history with Dunaden getting up over Red Cadeaux in the closest Melbourne Cup result ever.

A change of fortune though looks like putting Williams back in the saddle for the Group 1 Hong Kong Vase at Sha Tin.

Lemaire was to retain the ride on Dunaden in the Vase but will likely be forced off due to contractual arrangements.

He is the stable rider for the Aga Khan in Europe and the owner looks like providing both Vadamar and Shareta in the Hong Kong Vase.

It would complete a good run for Williams who as we reported earlier in the week also has a live chance in this weekend’s Japan Cup in the form of Tosen Jordan.

The Hong Kong Vase is building as a cracker of a race in its own right with the re-match between Duanden and Red Cadeaux certain to provide record levels of Australian interest.

If Williams is confirmed as Dunaden’s rider you can also expect record turnover on the race as well with plenty of punters believing Williams deserves the win after being hard done by over the spring carnival.

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