Premiership-leading jockey Craig Williams has delivered on favourite Mintha to win the Rivette Series Final at Flemington.
Mintha was chased down late at Moonee Valley by Casa De Lago over 1600m on a soft track last start but turned the tables on Saturday with a comfortable 1-3/4-length win.
After sitting just behind the lead, Williams had Mintha ($2.80) in the clear from the top of the straight and the filly hit the front inside the 300m before striding clear.
Casa De Lago ($13) ran on from the back of the field for second with Pageantry ($6.50) 2-3/4-lengths away third.
Trainer Tony McEvoy praised the professionalism of Williams, who he said chased the rides on both Mintha and Scottish Rouge on Saturday’s program.
“I would say 10 minutes after nominations came out Craig was on the phone to me saying ‘I want to ride your two horses for Saturday’,” McEvoy said.
“He said ‘I really want this premiership’ and I just said ‘yes’ because he was on the ball.
“And he’s delivered beautifully there.
“It was an easy watch. I wish they were all like that.”
McEvoy was pleased to see Mintha prove she can be effective at 1600m which opens more options next season.
The trainer said Mintha would head for a spell with a view to the spring.
“She’s done a really good job and we’ve learned a little bit about her this preparation,” McEvoy said.
