Spring pickings have been lean for Craig Williams but he hopes to end the Melbourne Cup carnival on a high in the Emirates Stakes.
Williams rides the John Thompson-trained Hooked in the final Group One race of the carnival while earlier in the day he partners Rebel Dane in the Darley Classic.
But it’s Hooked that Williams has a lot of confidence in after the four-year-old scored an impressive win in fast time at Moonee Valley on October 25.
Williams said Hooked wasn’t comfortable at Moonee Valley and will have taken a lot of benefit from that run.
“My manager Mark Guest spoke to John Thompson on Wednesday and he’s very pleased with the way he’s come through the race and he looks to be right on target for the Emirates,” Williams said.
Despite a busy schedule, Williams said he had already had a good look at the Emirates Stakes, rating Hooked as his best chance of winning a Group One over the carnival.
“I didn’t have a ride in the Oaks and my Melbourne Cup ride (Cavalryman) got scratched which was disappointing,” Williams said.
“My Caulfield Cup ride got scratched, but I was lucky enough to pick up the ride on the third emergency (Araldo) which ran a blinder and ran fifth and my Cox Plate ride (Guest Of Honour) pulled up lame after the race.
“It’s been one of those carnivals so far, but we’ve had a successful carnival with a lot of winners, but in the three majors nothing.
“I’m really looking forward to the Emirates on Saturday.”
Williams noted his Darley Classic mount Rebel Dane was also a good ride.
The entire has finished third and fourth at his past two starts in Group One company at Moonee Valley, beaten less than a half length each time.
The last time Rebel Dane ran up the Flemington straight, he finished seventh in the corresponding race last year.
Williams said riding a Group One winner with his family trackside on Saturday would add to the occasion.
