Champion jockey Craig Williams still improving as he chases a third Cox Plate at The Valley

An evolving training routine has left jockey Craig Williams in peak condition for his chase for another Cox Plate triumph when he rides Mr Brightside on Saturday.

Most of us would cringe at the prospect of joining jockey Craig Williams for a training session.

Especially the timeslot of Williams’ workouts.

Williams is normally up and completing his physical training, before going to ride trackwork as early as 4am on most days of the week.

Williams believes the work done off the track ensured he was riding as well as ever at 47, an age at which most professional athletes have been long retired.

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“I get out of bed and I work out before I go to work,” Williams said.

“I love being fit.

“There’s 365 days in a year and 52 weeks in a year, I would probably only have one day off a week but I love doing it.”

Williams has won all of Australia’s great races, both new and old.

Williams has won the Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup, Cox Plate and Golden Slipper and became the second jockey behind Kerrin McEvoy to win more than one edition of The Everest when steering Bella Nipotina to victory last Saturday.

But the champion jockey has continued to refine his methods of physical and mental preparation, which he says has left him in the best shape of his career.

“I feel smarter, stronger, lighter and motivated,” Williams said.

“I’m in a really good place.

“I just wish earlier that I knew what I know now and do things smarter, not harder.

“I never stop learning.

Jockey Craig Williams won The Everest on Bella Nipotina last Saturday. Picture: AFP

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“The processes of resetting and re-engaging are unbelievable.

“I was struggling with gaps between races then we got a new program in play.”

Williams will chase a third Cox Plate on Mr Brightside, the brilliant gelding on which he finished second in last year’s race but has also won six Group 1 races.

The winner of more than 2450 races said riding in races was only a fraction what was required to be a top jockey.

“I just know one thing, the single rule for success in the thoroughbred industry as a jockey is to work hard,” Williams said.

“I know that 90 per cent of the process is the preparation, the recovery and the homework and the hard work and 10 per cent is what everyone sees on TV.

“If I get 90 per cent right, the 10 per cent is easy.”

Combining with high-class horses such as Mr Brightside has been Williams’ reward for his off-track work.

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Oddly, Williams said Tuesday’s Breakfast With The Best session was the first time he had ridden Mr Brightside in trackwork.

Williams marvelled at Mr Brightside’s durability and consistency to compete among the top echelon of Australian racing for several seasons.

“We end up putting him under all the pressure because he’s got to do all the running at that highest level,” Williams said.

“In the greatest races in Australia and the horse is walking around with the number one saddlecloth, it just shows you how good he is.

“He’s never had a hiding spot and he always goes to war and he’s tough.

“I’ve loved being part of this horse’s journey.”

Originally published as Champion jockey Craig Williams still improving as he chases a third Cox Plate at The Valley