Four years after he guided the Lloyd Williams-owned Melbourne Cup winner Green Moon to his first stakes win in Australia, Brenton Avdulla will be on the same mission with a different horse.
The in-form jockey will ride the Williams-owned Chance To Dance when he takes on an army of Chris Waller gallopers in the Group Two Hill Stakes (2000m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Avdulla belatedly picked up the winning mount on Green Moon in the 2011 Newcastle Cup when Nick Hall became indisposed.
It was his first ride for the big-time owner who two years later called on Avdulla to partner Mourayan in the 2013 Melbourne Cup.
“I won the Newcastle Cup for him on Green Moon so I’ve had a bit to do with him here and there,” Avdulla said of his relationship with Williams.
“I’m obviously on Lloyd’s list and I’ve ridden for him before in a Melbourne Cup so whenever Lloyd wants to use me I’m more than happy to ride for him.”
A Listed winner in Ireland, Chance To Dance made an autumn cameo at Flemington where he finished sixth over 1700m.
At his only other Australian start he resumed with a Moonee Valley win earlier this month beating barn mate The United States
Avdulla says the stable’s decision to bring the horse to Sydney is a pointer to its chances.
“You’ve got to respect Lloyd bringing him here,” Avdulla said.
“He did the job the other day at the Valley so he’s going to improve, he steps up in trip and he’s drawn well.”
