‘They’ve elevated her’: Craig Williams confident on Bella Nipotina ahead of Giga Kick clash in Concorde Stakes

Bella Nipotina continues to leave jockey Craig Williams in awe and he’s expecting the brilliant sprinter to pick up where she left off in the Group 3 Concorde Stakes at Randwick.

Bella Nipotina continues to leave jockey Craig Williams in awe and he’s expecting the brilliant sprinter to pick up where she left off in Saturday’s Group 3 $1m Concorde Stakes (1000m) at Royal Randwick.

The Ciaron Maher-trained mare has had one of the most amazing starts to a calendar year in recent memory with Williams playing a central role in Bella Nipotina’s success in that time.

Bella Nipotina had eight Group 1 starts and raced in four states throughout the autumn and winter, winning a pair of majors in the Doomben 10,000 and Tatt’s Tiara.

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She was also a three-time Group 1 runner-up in the TJ Smith Stakes, Kingsford Smith Cup and Stradbroke Handicap and didn’t finish further back than fifth across the preparation.

“It is quite remarkable what she has done,” Williams said.

“She is a horse that has matured and developed.

“It’s clear to see what her program was in the autumn and she travelled and did a lot of racing but when she got to Brisbane, she just looked bigger in the mounting yard.

“She came into the yard and it was like ‘wow’ and even Ciaron said he had more to work with with her.

“It’s a credit to Ciaron Maher and the stable because they have elevated her.”

BELLA NIPOTINA TAKES OUT THE LADBROKES DOOMBEN 10,000! 🏆@CWilliamsJockey makes it his second consecutive 10,000!@cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/AwBPzbtSxB

— RaceQ (@RaceQLD) May 18, 2024

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Williams has done the majority of riding on Bella Nipotina over the past two years, including when she captured last year’s Giga Kick Stakes at Royal Randwick.

He was aboard when she lowered the colours of I Wish I Win in the Doomben 10,000 but was overseas when she claimed the Tatt’s Tiara at her final start before well earned break.

Williams was an eager observer when Bella Nipotina looked as good as ever in a recent trial, her only public hit out before the Concorde Stakes.

“I only watched a video of her jumping out in preparation for Saturday’s race and I was like ‘wow’,” Williams said.

“I was in awe of how she was doing things so I am really looking forward to getting back on her.

“She is such a talented horse and she really maturing and coming into her own right now.

“There are not many horses that are three-time Group 1 winners but she is one of them.”

1⃣ Tiz Invincible
2⃣ Royal Merchant
3⃣ Bella Nipotina

Three classy mares provide a @cmaherracing trifecta in the opening trial at Warwick Farm on Tuesday, behind the placings were Osipenko, Amenable, Bois D'Argent and Revolutionary Miss. @tabcomaupic.twitter.com/WfyMQw0HAU

— Racing NSW (@racing_nsw) August 26, 2024

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A maiden crack at the $20m The Everest looms for Bella Nipotina if everything goes to plan early in her spring campaign.

She is a $4.60 second elect for the Concorde Stakes but won’t be the only The Everest hopeful to kick off her spring campaign in Sydney.

Among her opposition is the horse that Williams piloted to The Everest glory two years ago in the form of comeback galloper Giga Kick, who has been off the scene after suffering a setback last spring in the lead up to The Everest when beaten in last year’s McEwen Stakes.

Williams ride copped some scrutiny at the time but the Clayton Douglas-trained galloper is back on track with hopes he can again tackle The Everest in 2024.

“He is a highly-talented horse and to see him back at the races,” Williams said.

“We like to see good horses racing, it brings people to the races and in his best form, he is one of the best sprinters we have in Australia, there is no doubt about it.”

Giga Kick leads home a star-studded trial at Randwick, followed by Linebacker, Punch Lane, Celestial Legend, Private Eye and Kovalica ⏱️

Time: 53.74sec
L600: 33.52sec pic.twitter.com/XpU7JoUTfN

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) August 29, 2024

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The Everest interest doesn’t stop at Giga Kick, who is the $2.90 favourite and will link up with champion jockey James McDonald.

Private Eye ($6), a two-time placegetter in the richest race on turf, will also kick off his preparation with Jay Ford aboard.

Aft Cabin ($6.50) is also among the contenders for Godolphin’s Everest slot and returns a gelding in the first of Sydney’s big lead up sprints.

Connections of smart sprinter I Am Me ($7) are also hopeful of attracting Everest interest when she makes her return.

Victoria’s Group 1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at The Valley looks certain to have similar interest with current Everest favourite I Wish I Win set to return.

Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott are expecting brilliant Golden Slipper winner Lady Of Camelot to demonstrate her credentials while the likes of Caballus, Estriella and Hayasugi also line up.

Originally published as ‘They’ve elevated her’: Craig Williams confident on Bella Nipotina ahead of Giga Kick clash in Concorde Stakes