From Cup favourite to fish and salad for Craig Williams

Ben Dorries - Tuesday October 17

Craig Williams woke up on Tuesday planning to ride the Caulfield Cup favourite but will now be dining on a strict fish and salad diet to make the weight on Amelie's Star.

Craig Williams will be on a fish and salad diet to make the Caulfield Cup weight on Amelie's Star Photo: Darryl Sherer

The champion jockey who has twice before won the Caulfield Cup displaced up-and-coming rider Michael Dee on Amelie's Star after Williams' original mount Admire Deus broke down.

With Darren Weir mare Amelie's Star to carry 51kg in Saturday's Caulfield Cup, Williams' plans for the week ahead changed dramatically.

Williams says he will be dieting to make the weight on Amelie's Star and he insisted Dee would become a Group I winning rider in the future.

"I wasn't expecting to ride 51kg – before I left to come to barrier draw my wife said to me what's for dinner?" Williams said.

"I said 'you know the answer' – salad and fish.

"As for Michael Dee, it is definitely disappointing for him.

"I have been in that position and I guess we have all been in that position.

"With his form and his calibre, he will be winning Group I races soon enough."

Irish raider Johannes Vermeer tightened his grip on Caulfield Cup favouritism after drawing barrier two – firming from $5.50 to $4.60 with bookmakers.

Humidor stayed firm in betting as second favourite ($6) after drawing barrier seven, while Amelie's Star drifted slightly to $8.50 after coming up with barrier 13.

Weir admitted the draw was far from ideal for Amelie's Star.

"It is a little bit sticky for her, we would have liked to draw much further inside with her," Weir said.

"But she will certainly be in the first half of the field and doing her best."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Sires With Winners - Tuesday May 21
Here is the full list of 24 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Australian Stud Book Red Flags –You Don’t Need a Crystal Ball
We haven’t done one of these stories for a while, but the Australian Studbook offers a wealth of information and if you know what to look for the pointers for future success are often red flagged.
G1 Winner Ruthless Dame Added to MM National Sale
Outstanding Group One winner Ruthless Dame will present buyers with another world class opportunity at next week's Magic Millions National Broodmare Sale on the Gold Coast.
Good Things Come in Threes
Trainers Ken and Bev Kelso have raced two outstanding daughters of Proisir in the colours of Philip and Catherine Brown, and on Wednesday they are hoping they can unveil another at Taupo.
More Pinhooking Paradise from Fairhill Farm at Magic Millions
Fairhill Farm were the leading vendor by aggregate at the recent Inglis Weanling Sale selling 21 weanlings at an average in excess of $90,000 and the good news for pinhookers is that their season is set to continue at the Gold Coast with Mike and Debbie O’Donnell to offer a further nine weanlings at Magic Millions that will be parading from Wednesday.
Good Showing Expected from Justify Colt
Cambridge trainer Stephen Marsh believes Bourbon Proof can make his presence felt in strong three-year-old company next season.
Weanling Sale Catalogue Loaded With Karaka Quality
The allure of a weanling sale is the world of possibilities that are within reach over the next few seasons, both back in the sale ring and on the racetrack. The 150-lot catalogue for next month’s 2024 NZB National Weanling Sale at Karaka is stacked with the right bloodlines and credentials for buyers to pursue those big dreams, similar to that on offer at Karaka but in smaller pac
Sires With Winners - Monday May 20
Here is the full list of 28 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
US Navy Flag Heads The Oaks Roster for 2024
The Oaks Stud in Cambridge have announced their service fees for the forthcoming breeding season with the roster to be headed by leading second season sire U S Navy Flag at $15,000 + GST.
Juvenile Trial Watch – Warwick Farm
There were five heats at the Warwick Farm trials on Tuesday morning won by some interesting juveniles including a Japanese conceived and foaled in the UK filly, plus a smart looking colt by Castelvecchio.