Trainer Danny Williams didn’t have a Black Opal Stakes runner but he was thankful for the result after Court Connection won the $200,000 Listed Canberra Centenary Cup on Sunday.
Williams believes it might have been a different story if jockey Glyn Schofield hadn’t won the Black Opal on Criterion.
“Glyn is the type of rider who is hard to beat when he gets his confidence up,” Williams said.
“I think the fact he won the previous race helped.
“He was trapped three wide but he didn’t panic and it wasn’t his fault because the barrier didn’t help his cause.”
Producing the turn of speed that has now carried him to nine wins, Court Connection ($6.50) reach the lead at the 100m and then staved off Sydney Cup-bound Coliseo ($8) to win by a half neck.
The Peter Snowden-trained Sindarin ($8.50) finished three-quarters of a length away third after racing three-deep without cover.
Williams, who trains at nearby Goulburn, said the win carried special meaning for his stable.
“It’s a little bit close to heart,” he said.
“It’s close to home and it’s always a privilege to win races here.”
Williams, who has a strike-rate that is respected in more than one racing jurisdiction as a regular Queensland carnival visitor and a frequent traveller to Melbourne, says Court Connection has always been a committed racehorse.
“He’s just been a great horse for us because he’s never been a star in the stable yet he’s always delivered,” he said.
