Star hoop Craig Williams made it a memorable Good Friday at Echuca, securing a feature race double by piloting Midwest to victory in the $500,000 Country Discovery.
Run over 1000 metres this year, the sprint was a target for Midwest according to Williams, and the Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained galloper didn’t disappoint, scoring by three-quarters of a length in what the jockey described as a strong field.
Earlier in the day, Williams partnered Alma Rise to success in the $150,000 Country Oaks (2100m) for trainers Peter Moody and Katherine Coleman.
Midwest’s win in the high-stakes sprint takes the six-year-old’s earnings beyond $1.1 million in prize money.
“Credit to Sam and his father Anthony and the team they have around them, they earmarked this race,” Williams said.
“Racing Victoria set it out so we race on Good Friday with really good money. They (Freedmans) earmarked the race, had him fresh and knew what it took and they had the right horse to deliver and win a $500,000 race.”
Sent out at $5.50, Midwest didn’t get away cleanly but showed good early speed to punch through and take up the running — a lead he never relinquished.
Oak Hill launched late to finish second, with Shirkshov a further long neck away in third. Race favourite Rey Magnerio, who jumped at $3.80, came from the tail of the field to grab fourth in a close finish.
“He loved the ground and was really effective today,” Williams said.
“He didn’t step fast so we were playing a little bit of catch-up from the start and we just had to trust his speed. And it was great.”
