Champion jockey Craig Williams has inexplicably strengthened the mightiest of spring hands on Wednesday at Flemington with a quartet of winners.
Less than 24 hours after sitting on Cox Plate favourite Zaaki, the 44-year-old put on a riding clinic.
The haul included both $75,000 midweek features, with Barb Raider a comprehensive winner of the Oaks Preview before Gundec claimed the Derby Preview.
Williams struck early with Cuban Link winning Race 3 and rounded out the Flemington four-timer with Mr Brightside in Race 7.
Williams unfortunately did not have a ride in the last, following the scratching of Narvaez, denying him the chance to ride all four legs of the Quaddie.
“I must always thank my team but we had six rides,” Williams said.
“I don’t know what happened to the other two.
“I was doing my homework yesterday and I was very excited about coming to this meeting.”
For the record, Williams finished third in Race 2 aboard Nominator and fifth on Teramia in Race 4.
Jerome Hunter-trained Oaks prospect Barb Raider was ultra-impressive winning by two lengths eased down on the line ahead of Blackcomb and Tiz My Bay.
“Jerome Hunter recommended this horse to me,” Williams said.
“He had a very high opinion of her and I could see why he was very excited.
“One thing I’m really loving with the journey and this filly is the steps that Jerome is taking.
“He’s letting her do the talking for us and she keeps on stepping up to the mark.”
Gundec, a three-year-old son of Kermadec, looms as Warrnambool horseman Symon Wilde‘s first Derby runner.
“That’s what we bought him for (the Derby) so it is great to get that done today,” Wilde said.
“We can make preparations and plans solely around the Derby.
“2500 metres is going to be right up his alley.“
Gundec will return to Flemington next month to contest the Listed Super Impose Stakes.
Williams rounded out the day combining with Lindsay Park to make it five-straight wins aboard Mr Brightside.
“I’m very lucky for the opportunity. I got him at the right time,” Williams said of the Ben and JD Hayes-trained galloper.
“It’s not easy to win five in a row – Black Caviar and Winx, look out.
“They are still shaping this horse and getting the best out of it and using every rating point they can on the way up to him being a black-type or group horse in the very near future.”
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