The husband and wife training combination will saddle up Alsephina and Trap For Fools, stablemates at the opposite ends of their racing careers.
Alsephina is the new kid on the block, a lightly raced four-year-old mare that shows a stack of potential and keeps improving with each start.
She goes into the Listed La Trice Classic (1800m) as hot favourite after winning the Starstruck Classic (1600m) two weeks ago, her maiden stakes victory.
Trap For Fools is a nine-year-old veteran with over $2 million in prize earnings from his 14 wins, but is a newcomer to the Alana Williams’ set up at Karnup.
The end is fast closing for the gelding, who scaled a career high peak four years ago when he won the G1 Mackinnon Stakes (2000m) at Flemington.
The Williams’ are hoping they can sneak one more feature win out of him in the Tabtouch-Perth Cup (2400m), but he’ll need a major form reversal.
Trap For Fools was well beaten in the Towton Cup (2200m) and Ted Van Heemst Stakes (2100m), finishing 12th and 10th respectively in his two runs for the stable.
Currently rated $61, Trap For Fools is a rank outsider for the Perth Cup.
“I can’t fault him, but I was disappointed in his last run, that threw us a little bit,” Grant Williams said on Tabradio.
“We’ve just changed a few things around with him and he seems to be really good.
“I can’t fault him, but it’s hard to pick him with the past two runs that he’s had, finishing down the track.
“We’ll ride him a lot colder this week, we’ll sit him in, he’s got the winkers on which he hasn’t had ever I don’t think.
“It’s just a bit of a change and the trip is not going to be a problem, it’s just more if Brad (Rawiller) can put him to sleep.
“He’s bright as a button and running around like he is a four or five year old.
“It’s more about getting between his ears and hopefully we’ve done that over the last week or so.”
Trap For Fools has drawn barrier seven and if he causes a big upset he’ll deliver the Williams’ with their fifth Perth Cup success.
Midnight Blue (2022), Mississippi Delta (2020), Delicacy (2015) and Western Jewel (2012) their previous winners.
Meanwhile Alsephina will look to build on her imposing record in the La Trice Classic; she’s unbeaten in three this preparation and overall has eight wins and two placings from 10 starts.
If she continues her rate of improvement Williams (Grant) has identified the daughter of Star Turn as an Ascot carnival horse this time next year.
“She’s had a good preparation and hopefully she can do the same on Sunday,” Williams said.
“She doesn’t give us any doubt that she won’t get the 1800m.
“Her work and the way she looks is really good and we’re pretty happy with the way she is getting there.”
The La Trice Classic has attracted nine acceptors with Alsephina to jump from barrier four.
She is $1.95 with Tabtouch. William Pike retains the mount.
