Craig Williams has bounced back from a forgettable race early on the card at Caulfield to post a winner in the next event on promising colt Shamport.
Things did not go to plan for Williams aboard second favourite Charlevoix in Saturday’s VOBIS Gold Stayers (2400m), with the champion jockey ending up stuck behind horses and finishing in fifth place.
But Williams put that luckless run behind him and made his next ride count on the Darren Weir-trained Shamport in the VOBIS Gold Ingot.
Shamport, in his second start after placing at Echuca, put his rivals away in the straight of the 1400m race for juveniles to win by 2-1/4 lengths.
“I’m pretty sure if people followed and supported Charlevoix, that unless they followed me then I’m still in their bad books,” Williams said after Shamport’s victory.
“I’m as disappointed as everyone is. The horse should have won, I felt.
“But unfortunately we had bad luck today. I thought I used up all my bad luck for the whole year in that race, and luckily I got some good luck with this nice and exciting horse.”
In windy conditions, Shamport ($9) was just behind the leaders turning for home when Williams angled out and the colt sprinted to take over at the 200m.
He drew away to beat Confluence ($20), with another three-quarters of a length to Mulk ($7.50) in third.
Weir said Shamport would have a three-week freshen-up at his farm to prepare for the spring.
