Jockey Craig Williams hopes the rain stays away from Eagle Farm this week in anticipation of partnering three-year-old filly Ortensia in the Group 1 Stradbroke Handicap (1400m).
Winning the Group 2 QTC Cup (1300m) to secure a berth into the Stradbroke field, Ortensia appeared to struggle in the slow going.
"I love to see her on top of the ground, I believe she's three lengths better horse than what we saw on Saturday," Williams told Sport 927 this morning.
"I worked her during the week (last Wednesday morning at Doomben) and her work was excellent apart from the soft ground she had to contend with."
Showers are expected in Brisbane for the next three days until Friday when the Bureau of Meteorology predict sunshine for the remainder of the week.
Williams also reflected on the drama of the past week which came to a climax yesterday morning when Queensland stewards ordered the leading Melbourne hoop ride Ortensia instead of All Silent in this weekend's Stradbroke.
"I've always stated that I liked to be on Ortensia wherever she runs and that's going to be the case on Saturday," Williams said.
"I picked out Ortensia a long time ago but when she wasn't in the field last week I made a commitment to Mr. Begg because she wasn't in the field."
"I went with my head and not with my heart and as it turns out she's now in the field and I'm riding her," Williams added.
All Silent and Black Piranha share favouritism with Betstar at $5.50 with Ortensia on the next line of betting, rated a $6.50 chance.
Williams will also ride Kiwi galloper Izonit in the Group 1 Queensland Derby (2400m) and Choistar in the Group 1 T.J Smith Plate (1600m) this Saturday.
© Cyberhorse 2009 Carl Di Iorio Published 02/06/09
Topic: Craig Williams (Read 4943 times)