Jockey Craig Williams Back With A Bang
- Wednesday, 21 July 2010 07:15
Craig Williams gave a timely reminder of his premier jockey qualities when he scored a winning double at his comeback meeting at Sandown.
Williams, who has just returned from a two-month riding stint in Japan, hadn't ridden in Melbourne since Anzac Day but made an immediate return to the winners' circle on his first two mounts on Wednesday.
Williams' guile helped Adaptor snap a three-year losing streak when he landed the Mistegic Handicap (1200m) before the four-time premier jockey and Scobie Breasley Medallist lifted Jagger Crow over the line in a photo-finish in the Sun Valley Handicap (1600m).
"It is a good way to start," Williams said.
"When you come back in winter you need to get on horses that handle wet tracks."
Williams had to find his own rides at Sandown in the absence of his manager Mark Guest who has been on holidays but was grateful for the support of trainers who gave him six mounts at the meeting.
"You really appreciate what managers have to do when there are 40 nominations in a race," Williams said.
His recollection of Adaptor as a wet tracker led to him chasing the ride on the Chris Parry-trained six-year-old.
"I remembered he was always a consistent horse who loved Sandown and soft ground," Williams said.
Parry said that Williams' ride was crucial to Adaptor winning his first race since scoring at Sandown in July 2007.
"He (Adaptor) is an on-pace horse but Craig could have made a mistake when they chopped and changed in front the first 400 metres but he kept his head," he said.
Adaptor scored by 1-3/4 lengths from Coolago and Jerrymac.
Williams' victory on the Mick Kent-trained Jagger Crow required more effort and he only got home in the last stride from Dark Note.
"He raced on and off the bridle a couple of times and got on one rein a little bit," Williams said.
Kent said Williams was a welcome addition to the winter riding ranks and said his sense of timing was a huge asset on Jagger Crow.
"He is a backward horse but tough and does like soft ground," Kent said.
Williams is fifth on the Melbourne jockeys' premiership with 41 wins but is 14 wins behind Luke Nolen who has a commanding lead on the table.
Williams said his focus was on the coming weeks and building a good book of rides for the big races.
"I am really looking forward to the spring," Williams said.
Japanese stayer Jaguar Mail would be Williams' mount in the Melbourne Cup if quarantine restrictions permitted while he was hopeful of reuniting with Group One Galaxy winner Ortensia in the major sprints.
Pictures: Colin Bull
