Racing
Williams' filly to show some sass at Randwick
A longer priced Doncaster hope plus others with larger aims marks Craig Williams' day at Randwick.
Craig Williams heads to Randwick on Saturday knowing that his Doncaster Mile mount has the task ahead of him, but in other races his rides may just put the writing on the wall towards seven days later.
Trainer Ciaron Maher used the week back-up effectively in 2024 when Circle Of Fire won the Group 2 Chairman's Quality (2600m) before a dominate win the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m).
Juja Kibo will be out to do the same and Williams takes positives away from the five-year-old's last start third placing in over 2400m.
"I had my first sit on him last start at Rosehill and he drew barrier one so it is a completely different situation to doing the form here with barrier 11," Williams said.
"He had the run of the race but I felt that he still had natural improvement, and I think that it why Ciaron, who is an amazing trainer at targeting horses at races, will have him better here and then backing up into the Sydney Cup really well."
Williams reunites with Inkaruna in the Group 3 P J Bell Stakes (1200m) having won on the three-year-old filly at the same level at Caulfield in November.
Inkaruna comes off a narrow defeat at Rosehill in the Group 3 Birthday Card Stakes (1200m) also on March 21.
"I rode her in a trial before she went to Sydney and I remarked how much she had come on," Williams said.
"She's matured and she's flying since they took the blinkers off at the start of this preparation.
"For a horse that is quite a sassy horse, she really gets up and about."
Williams takes the ride on Pericles in the Group 1 Doncaster Mile (1600m) with the looming threat of talented filly Sheza Alibi gunning for victory in one of Randwick's most famous races.
Despite the 57-kilos Pericles will carry on his back, Williams sees no reason why he can't make his presence felt on ability after finishing third off a tough run in the Group 1 George Rider Stakes (1500m) at Rosehill behind Autumn Glow.
Pericles notched a Racing and Sports rating of 123 in that third placing which is well in calculations for a good performance in the Doncaster despite likely being a longer odds chance.
"He's definitely been on my radar," Williams added.
"He's in career best form. He's a group one winner and his run the other day was full of merit having had no favours from the draw (barrier 9).
"The run cost him second placing behind Autumn Glow, the best horse we have in Australia at present."
Earlier on the card Craig also rides Queen Of Clubs in the Group 3 Adrian Knox Stakes (2000m) en-route to the Group 1 Australian Oaks (2400m) also on day two of The Championships.
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