Craig Williams, fresh from his success in the Meydan Masters International Jockey Challenge in Dubai last week, will return to Australia with close to a full book of Magic Millions day rides.
Williams, who has been riding on the crest of an international wave for almost two months, has eight mounts on the nine-race card at the Gold Coast including the Kelly Schweida-trained Discreet in the $2 million Magic Millions 2YO Classic (1200m).
Hw will also ride Noisy Ocean for Bryan Guy in the $1 million Magic Millions Guineas (1400m).
“It was a great result,” said Williams of his success in the Meydan Masters which comprised four races for a select dozen of the world’s best jockeys.
“I’ve never ridden before at Meydan and I met Tom Quealy, Frankel’s rider, for the first time.
“Three of the races were on the Tapeta track and one on turf.”
Williams, who previously spent a season riding for Australian trainer John Sadler at Nad Al Sheba in Dubai, has had a successful overseas stint since winning the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate during the Melbourne spring carnival.
He notched the Hong Kong Vase on Dunaden and in Japan guided two-year-old Alfredo to win the Group One Asahi Hai Futurity at Nakayama.
“When I got back to Japan from Hong Kong I got the opportunity to ride Alfredo. He’s a lovely horse and a potential Derby horse for this year,” Williams said.
Williams won two races in Japan, the other race being at stakes level, and was second in the Japan Cup aboard Tosen Jordan.
“I had the ride on Tosen Jordan going towards the Japan Cup. It’s not easy in Japan, the racing is great but the environment is tough,” Williams said.
Williams said he would spend the next few days studying the local form before riding on Saturday.
His other rides at the meeting are Ready To Rip in the Magic Millions Cup, Paprika in the Sprint, Sky Raider in the Stayers Cup, Arms Length in the Fillies And Mares, Florida Fellow in the Maiden and Pleasure Or Pain in the Country Cup (1400m).
Williams will resume riding in Melbourne on Saturday week at Flemington.
AAP TURF
