The Craig Williams business model is faultless says The Armchair Punter while he can't believe the finishing sprint of Blue Diamond winner Catchy. At the same time he's very keen on enjoying a bit of Japanese this autumn and he's sacking a recent Kiwi hero as a future prospect.
Photo: Japan Racing Association
DESERVED REWARD FOR THE ULTIMATE PROFESSIONAL
Full credit to Craig Williams and his manager Mark Guest for sifting through the handful of Blue Diamond options on the table and coming up with the winner Catchy but the win certainly never came by chance.
Craig and Guesty had to weigh up the pros and cons of all his offers and through good management the right decision was made, but all you've got to do is have a look at how Craig runs his business to realise why good management is his number one priority.
For Craig and Guesty there's a total understanding of all aspects of the jockey business from servicing the owners and trainers to providing punters with an insight into all of Craig's mounts.
If you haven't already done so take a look at how a professional jockey of 2017 markets himself at Craig's website http://craigwilliamsjockey.com.au/
Craig is riding at the top of his game and while I've had a few cracks at him for the odd ordinary ride that happens to all of them at some stage and there's no denying Craig's flying at the moment and it's very much a matter of credit where credit is due.
SECTIONALS TELL A CATCHING TALE
There's no question the performance of Catchy in winning the Blue Diamond on Saturday was outstanding and the sectional times only go to emphasise just how outstanding her winning effort was.
Catchy scorched over the last 600m in 33.62 which equated to three lengths faster than any other runner in the race with the second best 600m sectional being recorded by runner-up Pariah who clocked in at 34.11.
However it's when you put the closing sectionals of Catchy up against the open class sprinters in the Oakleigh Plate where you see just how quickly the Hayes and Dabernig trained filly rushed home.
Over the shorter 1100m course Hellbent was the best closer in the big sprint finishing off in 33.77 while Extreme Choice got home in 33.89 but drilling down even further you really need to have a look at the last 400m of each event.
Catchy closed off in 22.31 which was more than three lengths faster than both Extreme Choice and Hellbent recorded in their eye catching performances behind Sheidel with both recording an identical 22.89.
The times just go to reinforce what our eyes told us, Catchy is a very very good filly but I'm also a massive fan of Pariah who sat up three deep on the pace and dashed away only to be run down close to the line by the Diamond winner.
WINX WAS HEART IN THE MOUTH STUFF
It's hard to comprehend how you could have your heart in your mouth watching a superstar galloping machine who these days seems pretty much unbeatable but incredibly that's how I felt on Saturday when Winx lined up in the Chipping Norton Stakes at Randwick.
Sure I thought she'd win but the bookies were starting to take some risks and there was this serious bit of unknown factor which had arisen.
With the track deteriorating before our eyes it was actually nerve wracking leading into the race with the big question being would the champion mare be able to handle the very heavy conditions and record yet another routine win?
Sure Winx had won her only heavy track appearance previously taking out the Furious Stakes at her third start but that was years ago and even though the same heavy 9 rating was there on Saturday the track seemed significantly worse.
The last time Winx had been beaten was 16 runs back at Randwick in the Australian Oaks and the track was a soft 7 so if there was a chink in her armour could it be the really heavy surface?
But then they jumped and with Hughie Bowman settling the mare into rhythm there was never any doubts as the team cruised home hard held and I, like many others felt a great sense of relief.
I can't back the mare at the odds on offer but also, like most I just want to see her keep the winning run going.
As an aside to the Winx victory I'd like to know what Joao Moreira was thinking when he watched her 15th successive win just minutes before he went out for his winning ride on Sheidel in the Oakleigh Plate.
Joao just happens to be the last jockey to have been beaten on the champ.
JOAO MOREIRA – THE MAGIC SHOW CONTINUES
You can't help but marvel at superstar hoop Joao Moreira and his feats with Saturday being a perfect example as to why he's widely regarded as the best in the world.
His first ride on outsider Hard Promise may have seen him racing a touch hard for the lead however the Robert Smerdon trained galloper still found plenty for the 'magic man' before being run down late by Benz.
He followed up with a top ride on Cliff Hanger who overcame the 11 gate to be one-one before finding the favourite Farson too good.
Moreira followed up with a win on Savanna Amour where he kept the filly running to prevail narrowly and that was pretty much the case again with Sheidel in the Oakleigh Plate.
It just seems to be wherever Moreira rides he brings excitement and a sense of anticipation and on more occasions than not he also brings the magic.
HUMIDOR WAS GOOD BUT EXOSPHERIC RIGHT UP THERE
There was plenty of wraps over the performance of Humidor in the Peter Young Stakes on Saturday however for mine there was just as much merit in the performances of a few others.
Luke Nolen hardly turned in his best performance aboard Jameka sitting out deep on the mare for more than half the race before she fought on courageously for a close fourth, beaten less than a length.
However the one we can follow out of the event is Exospheric who was slow to begin and raced out the back before turning in the best closing sectionals of the race.
The Lee and Anthony Freedman trained import dashed home his last 800m in a slick 46.01 against Humidor's 46.27 and judging by the way he savaged the line there should well be a race for him very soon.
LA BELLA DIOSA – SHADES OF 2016
You couldn't help but feel there was a touch of déjà vu about the win of La Bella Diosa in Saturday's Surround Stakes at Randwick.
It was only 12 months ago we saw fellow Kiwis Sofia Rosa and Tavago strike first-up in Sydney on rain affected ground with impressive wins in the Australian Oaks and Derby.
THE SWORD IS A CUT ABOVE AND SHE'S BACK!
While the honours went with La Bella Diosa there was no doubt one of the highlights of the day at Randwick was the positive return of Omei Sword in the Surround Stakes.
The Chris Waller trained filly has been off the scene since finishing second to Astern in the Golden Rose back in September after a brilliant win in the Silver Shadow Stakes and there had to be concerns about her return.
Following a few punctuations to her preparation it came as no surprise Omei Sword was easy in the market before going to the post as a $9 chance on Saturday.
After being eased back from her wide gate by Hugh Bowman the filly was tightened between runners on straightening before powering to the line taking many lengths off the leaders over the concluding stages.
Here's hoping it's clear sailing from here on in as Omei Sword is without question top class.
THE WEIR HONESTY SHOW CONTINUES
Breaking records seems to be the norm for Darren Weir but his performance in continually getting the best out of top quality performers in marginal contests has become something of a constant.
On Saturday there was Black Heart Bart and Stratum Star doing what they do best - winning, albeit narrowly. That was three straight for Stratum Star and five out of six at Caulfield for Black Heart Bart.
The wins on Saturday took my mind back to the Weir-trained Trust In A Gust who, much like Stratum Star and Black Heart Bart prevailed narrowly in taking out the 2014 Group I Toorak Handicap and Sir Rupert Clarke at Caulfield.
Stratum Star has really turned the corner as a winner these days after a frustrating run of six minor placings in Group company before he narrowly won the 2015 Sir Rupert Clarke.
His record now stands at eight wins and 15 placings from 35 starts and just shy of $2.4m in prizemoney while Black Heart Bart has recorded 16 wins and 14 placings from 39 starts and $3.4m in prizemoney.
They're both great money spinners in anyone's language.
FOLLOW ME
Impossible to miss the past two Aussie runs of Tosen Stardom and he's ready to win anything he contests from here on in with one proviso, no Winx!
This bloke is top class and caught the eye when fourth in the interference-marred Feehan Stakes in the spring when having his first start for Darren Weir before his cracking return at Caulfield on Saturday.
His other two Australian starts came in the autumn of 2015 when second to Contributer in the Ranvet Stakes before finishing fifth in the Queen Elizabeth Stakes behind Criterion when prepared out of Japan by Yasutoshi Ikee.
Certainly it was no disgrace to be beaten in a photo finish by star stablemate Black Heart Bart in the Futurity over the unsuitable 1400m and when he gets to 2000m and beyond look out!
FORGET ME
In the spring of 2015 Kiwi galloper Turn Me Loose was on fire in Australia but he's a different horse now.
Recently he showed a return to form when second in the Orr Stakes however that return to form was short lived and he's lost me after Saturday's performance in the Futurity Stakes when second last behind Black Heart Bart.
Only 12 months back he won the same race beating Stratum Star but since then he's had just one placing in seven starts and he's got a few too many tricks these days.
Seems he needs it all to go his own way, leading on his own with no pressure and that's not going to happen considering the races he contests.
