Craig Williams could not be happier being aboard Real Love in the Caulfield Cup
Craig Williams thinks the market has got it right as he chases a third Caulfield Cup success.
Williams rides $7.50 equal second favourite Real Love in 2016 Caulfield Cup after wins on Southern Speed in 2011 and Dunaden in 2012.
Jameka heads the market at $3.60 with Godolphin’s English visitor Scottish sharing the second line.
Williams says Jameka and the Darren Weir-trained Real Love are the pick of the Australian horses with Scottish and Sir Isaac Newton ($13) holding good overseas form.
“Jameka is coming from weight-for-age form back to a handicap and she’s really well off and on Real Love’s runs this preparation were not far off her,” Williams said.
“Like Jameka we’ve been targeted at the race.
“They’re two mares in form and look the pick of the Australian horses and the market suggests they’re the two best chances.”
Williams pointed out Real Love beat Jameka home at Moonee Valley last month.
Then in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield Jameka had a soft run in victory, relegating Real Love into seventh, but the weights swing in Real Love’s favour.
“When they went to Caulfield Jameka had a very economical run from the barrier and a lot of other horses did not,” Williams said.
“If Real Love had followed Jameka through I think she gets beaten two lengths.
“Since then Jameka’s franked her form behind Hartnell and Real Love went to a set-weights and penalties race at Moonee Valley and carried the maximum and was impressive.
“She meets Jameka better under the weights from their meeting at Caulfield in the Naturalism and my horse has gone on and had a win and gets some confidence going into the race.
“The way the field has shaped up she’s one of the main chances.”
Williams said Sir Isaac Newton was the best credentialled of the international contingent having raced in three European Group One races at his past three starts while Scottish was likely to make the running.
“There doesn’t look too much pressure,” Williams said.
“If he can dominate up in front like he has at home he’ll be a hard horse to run down.”
