Champion jockey Craig Williams will chase a third consecutive victory in the Group 1 Doomben 10,000 (1200m) this Saturday, after securing the late ride aboard emerging star Schwarz.
Williams was confirmed for the mount on Tuesday morning following final acceptances, after regular rider Blake Shinn opted to serve a 10-meeting suspension, leaving Schwarz without a jockey for the $1 million sprint.
It’s familiar territory for Williams, who won the 2023 edition of the Doomben 10,000 aboard Giga Kick and followed up with Bella Nipotina last year. Now, he partners a last-start Group 1 winner in Schwarz, who captured the William Reid Stakes in impressive style at his previous outing.
While Williams has yet to partner Schwarz in a race, the combination is considered one of the headline acts of Saturday’s field. However, they will need to overcome a wide draw, with the colt set to jump from barrier 11 in a field of 16 plus one emergency.
Victory in the prestigious Queensland sprint would mark Williams’ sixth Group 1 success of the 2024/25 season and take his overall Group 1 tally to 83—a testament to his longevity and class at the highest level.
With elite sprinting form behind Schwarz and a top rider in the saddle, punters are keeping a close eye on betting markets ahead of Saturday’s clash. For the latest Doomben 10,000 odds, specials and promos, explore the top options on our betting sites list.
