Jockey Craig Williams third on Rulership in major Japanese staying race

CRAIG Williams yesterday finished third on Rulership in the Group 1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama in Japan.

Craig Williams

CRAIG Williams yesterday finished third on Rulership in the Group 1 Arima Kinen at Nakayama in Japan.

Considered one of the strongest staying events in the world, the race was won by favourite Gold Ship.

It is the fourth feature race that Rulership has finished third in this year, including the Japan Cup where he was also ridden by Williams.

Williams will now return to Melbourne.

Athos Cup-bound
LUCA Cumani has revealed on his blog that Mount Athos will run in next year's Melbourne Cup.

Mount Athos was one of the biggest runs in this year's Cup, storming home off the slow speed to finish fifth behind Green Moon.

Cumani said Mount Athos would be set for two races specifically in 2013, with the other being the Group 3 Ormonde Stakes over 2697m at Chester in May.

King commits
TOP-CLASS Kiwi King Mufhasa is headed for Melbourne after he won the Group 3 Manawatu Challenge Stakes (1400m) on Saturday, his 20th win.

Trainer Steve McKee said he would contest the Orr Stakes and the Futurity Stakes.

King Mufhasa defeated Pinker Pinker to win the 2012 Futurity Stakes.

Weighty plan
JOCKEYS who weigh in overweight face more severe penalties.

Apprentice Alex Forbes was fined $1000 for weighing in overweight after his mount Star Of Jeune dead-heated for first at Moonee Valley on Thursday night.

Acting chief steward Robert Cram said yesterday there would be stiffer penalties in 2013.