Globetrotting jockey Craig Williams is the new rider for the imported stallion Americain in the Group 1 $500,000 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on April 28.

Craig Williams

Craig Williams is the new jockey for Americain - photo (c) Taron Clarke

Williams takes over from  Gerald Mosse after the seven year old’s owner Kevin Bamford let fly at the French jockey after his ride in the Group 1 $2.25m The BMW (2400m) at Rosehill on April 7 when he was an unlucky second to the Peter Moodytrained Manighar.

Mosse travelled three deep on Americain for almost the entire way and Bamford didn’t hold back, expressing his disappointment with the ride.

“I think it’s a given that Gerald will not be coming back,” Bamford said. “He will never ride the horse again. It was a dismal effort.”

“The horse was magnificent. Stephanie and David had done a wonderful job, he couldn’t have been any better. And you get some cowboy who in a minute and a half destroys all that hard work.

“If you knew anything about Rosehill you know you can’t sit three wide for a mile and a half.”

Bamford praised the efforts of trainer David Hayes and Americain’s personal attendant Stephanie Nigge for turning the horse out in superb order and is looking forward to Williams riding him on Saturday week.

The 2010 Melbourne Cup winner has had two runs for Hayes since being transferred from the Alain de Royer Dupre stable for two Group 1 placings.

Hayes started Americain first up in the Group 1 $1m Dubai Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 10 when he was a fast finishing third to Manighar then he raced wide for Mosse when a solid second to Manighar in the  The BMW.

Americain will again clash with Manighar in the Queen Elizabeth and connections are hoping the in form Williams will be enough to turn the tables on the Peter Moody trained six year old.

Williams has ridden successfully all around the world in the last few months, including winners in Melbourne, Singapore and Dubai as well as riding Master Of Design to victory in last week’s Group 1 $1m Darley T J Smith (1200m) at Randwick.

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.