Jockey Craig Williams could not have been happier with Commanding Jewel after riding the classy mare for the first time at Moonee Valley this morning ahead of her return to the races in the Listed Carlyon Stakes(1000m) on Saturday.

Jockey Craig Williams is confident Commanding Jewel can win first-up in the Carlyon Stakes at Moonee Valley on Saturday. Photo by: Race Horse Photos Australia

Williams picked up the ride after Michael Rodd was suspended for ten days due to careless riding at Geelong last Friday and said after the gallop that he believes Commanding Jewel is good enough to win first-up despite not having raced since her victory in the Group 1 Thousand Guineas (1600m) last October.

“After that gallop this morning it will really put her in good stead for Saturday,” Williams told TVN.

“She’s going into Saturday’s race obviously with improvement in her, but she is ready for the race.

“I was really happy with the way she responded to my riding this morning.”

Commanding Jewel has not raced at 1000 metres since her debut victory in a race over 975 metres at Swan Hill in August last year and the Carlyon Stakes is expected to be run at a good clip with successful front-runner Adamantium the likely leader from Queensland speedster Adebisi.

Williams is confident that the daughter of Commands is well equipped to handle the hot pace and will lay down the challenge to the leader coming around the tight final bend at Moonee Valley.

“I think she is quite brilliant,” Williams said.

“I guess we will have to see how fast Adamantium is around the bend.

“It’s going to be a scorching pace.”

Williams will be hoping he has more luck this Saturday than he had at Caulfield last weekend.

The leading jockey won the first race with Colin Little-trained Text’N Hurley but could have had more winners after finishing second on Alpha Proxima, Bells Of Troy and Metastasio later in the day.