Williams With Strong Book Of Group 1 Rides
- Tuesday, 24 March 2015 07:22
Fresh from a Rosehill Guineas win, star jockey Craig Williams has an enviable book of Group One rides in two states this weekend starting with Rebel Dane.
Williams notched his first Group One for the season on New Zealand gelding Volkstok'n'barrell in Saturday's Rosehill Guineas as part of a winning double on the program.
He expects luck in running will be the biggest factor in determining whether Sydney sprinter Rebel Dane adds another Group One win to his resume in Friday night's William Reid Stakes at Moonee Valley.
On Saturday, Williams is booked to ride Melbourne Cup winner Protectionist in The BMW and VRC Oaks winner Set Square in the Vinery Stud Stakes.
Rebel Dane heads to the William Reid first-up with Williams convinced the horse is capable of producing a winning performance in the weight-for-age sprint which has been a long-range target.
The 2013 Rupert Clarke Stakes winner, Rebel Dane has had three Group One starts at Moonee Valley including a close up third and fourth in the Moir Stakes and Manikato Stakes in the spring with Williams aboard.
"With his racing style he just needs to get luck at the right time. That's all he needs to get," Williams said of the run-on sprinter.
"He's got to be ridden a certain way and if luck falls his way he can certainly win."
The William Reid Stakes nominations includes Angelic Light and Famous Seamus who were second and third in a blanket finish to the Manikato Stakes in the spring, while last year's runner-up Fontelina is entered.
Williams is looking forward to Protectionist getting to a suitable trip for the first time this campaign, while the jockey rode Set Square in work for the first time at Caulfield on Tuesday morning ahead of Saturday's 2000m Group One race for fillies in Sydney.
He picked up the ride on Set Square when the filly's VRC Oaks-winning jockey Hugh Bowman was suspended at Rosehill last Saturday.
"When she picks up her speed and her momentum she can really sustain it," Williams said.
"I rode her this morning and was really happy with the way she went for me."
