Craig Williams looking to make amends in Golden Slipper after All-Star Mile defeat
After getting beat in the All-Star Mile, Craig Williams is seeking to cause a Golden Slipper upset which would put the critics back in their place.
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One beauty of racing is that it gives jockeys a chance to quickly silence the haters after copping criticism.
Craig Williams will seek to cause a Golden Slipper upset a week after being beaten on odds-on favourite Mr Brightside in last Saturday’s All-Star Mile, a ride that drew commentary from all over the racing landscape.
Williams will ride $34 chance Traffic Warden in the Golden Slipper after riding the colt into eighth in the Group 1 Blue Diamond Stakes two runs back.
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Williams said Traffic Warden had a bit to learn but the youngster impressed him with his ability when finishing 2½ lengths from Hayasugi in Victoria’s richest two-year-old race.
“I reckon I’m on a really exciting horse apart from the ones people say are the main chances,” Williams said.
“I rode him in the Blue Diamond and loved the way that he went and felt that he was very raw for that race on that day and his performance was excellent.
“I said on the day after the Blue Diamond that he’d win the Sires’ (Produce Stakes) and then whether or not they were happy with how he was progressing, he can be good enough for a Slipper.”
Traffic Warden proved Williams right when winning the Group 2 VRC Sires’ Produce Stakes at Flemington at his next start to prove himself worthy of a shot at the Golden Slipper.
Williams noted the VRC Sires’ Produce form had measured up in previous Golden Slippers, notably in 2008 when he was narrowly beaten by quality colt Sebring.
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“We saw what he did in the Sires’ when he dominated them,” Williams said.
“That type of form from the Sires’ has not only given winners but also given placegetters.
“I remember running second on Von Costa de Hero after winning a Sires’ and going up there.”
Williams won the 2006 Golden Slipper with the brilliant filly Miss Finland and has finished second in the Sydney showpiece on another three occasions.
He said he expected the Blue Diamond Stakes form to stand up in this year’s Golden Slipper, giving the likes of Hayasugi and Eneeza the chance to become the first Melbourne-trained winner since Crystal Lily in 2010.
“I’ve been watching the two-year-olds and I think it’s a really deep year this year,” Williams said.
“Coolmore wouldn’t spend that sort of money on a colt (Storm Boy) if they thought it was an average year.
“I think the Melbourne horses are going to figure in the finish of the race.
“I think Blake (Shinn’s) horse (Star Of Camelot), Jamie (Kah)’s horse (Hayasugi) and my horse are going to represent the Melbourne form references really well.”
Originally published as Craig Williams looking to make amends in Golden Slipper after All-Star Mile defeat
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