Melbourne jockey Craig Williams is quickly becoming a highly sought after international rider and is prepared to compete at the highest level on the world stage.

Craig Williams

Jockey Craig Williams is in high demand - photo (c) Taron Clarke

Fresh from a successful trip to Dubai last weekend where Williams steered Ortensia to a thrilling win in the Group 1 US$1m Al Quoz Sprint (1000m), the top jockey will fly out to Singapore after Saturday’s Golden Slipper meeting at Rosehill.

Williams has been booked to ride Masthead for Singapore based Michael Freedman in the Group III Kranji Sprint (1200m) at Kranji on Sunday and this will complete a busy Easter weekend for the top jockey.

Williams has some great rides on Saturday in all five Group 1s including Cox Plate winner Pinker Pinker in the $400,000 Inglis Queen Of The Turf Stakes (1500m) and Caulfield Cup winner Southern Speed in the $2.25m The BMW (2400m).

He is also riding No Looking Back for Gai Waterhouse in the $3.5m AAMI Golden Slipper  (1200m), He’s Remarkable for Roger James in the $400,000 Daily Telegraph George Ryder Stakes (1500m) and She Goes To Rio in the $400,000 Vinery Stud Stakes (2000m).

Trainer Greg Eurell is hoping Pinker Pinker can bounce back in the Queen Of The Turf after a disappointing sixth to Shoot Out in the Group 1 $350,000 Chipping Norton Stakes (1600m) at Warwick Farm on March 10.

“You’ve got to be a little bit forgiving and hopefully she can pick herself up on Saturday and get going again,” Eurell said.

Eurell had some excuses for her poor Chipping Norton run and an improved performance will see her go into the Group 1 $2m Doncaster Mile (1600m) at Randwick in two weeks cherry ripe.

Williams will be riding No Looking Back in the Slipper, one of five Waterhouse runners in the rich juvenile race.

The ever confident Waterhouse was unbeat about the chances of all her runners, saying that No Looking Back has had a good tough preparation leading into Saturday’s race.

“She won the Magic Millions and then lost it on protest and then goes down to Melbourne, got back in the field and ran home for a fabulous second behind Samaready,” Waterhouse said.

No Looking Back is on the fourth line of betting at $9, with the Blue Diamond winner Samaready heading the market at $2.50 ahead of Waterhouse’s most fancied chance Pierro at $5.50.

Williams will be hoping Southern Speed can regain her best form stepping up to the 2400m of the BMW after a two and a quarter length fifth to Manighar in the Group 1 $400,000 Ranvet Stakes (2000m) at Rosehill on March 24.

The four year old mare is at $8 on the third line of betting behind Americain ($2) and Manighar ($4).

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.