3 minute read
As they say in the classics, ‘there is a first time for everything’.
Craig Williams has ridden all over the world, but on Tuesday he had his first ride at Horsham, a small country track, approximately three hours from Melbourne on the road to Adelaide.
Williams left his Melbourne home at 4am to travel to Horsham on Tuesday morning to partner Surprise Baby in a gallop ahead of Saturday's $250,000 Group 2 Feehan Stakes (1600m) at The Valley.
Surprise Baby is one of nine acceptors for Saturday's weight-for-age contest and will be lining up for his first outing since finishing fifth to Vow And Declare in last year's Melbourne Cup.
Nothing has been wrong with Surprise Baby, but trainer Paul Preusker's sole focus has been on this year's $8 million Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 3.
Tuesday's gallop was the second time Williams has been aboard Surprise Baby after he was to have ridden the stayer at The Valley in February last year, however the gelding was scratched at the barrier.
Williams was going to test Surprise Baby that night as a potential Adelaide Cup mount which the gelding later went on to claim under Dean Holland.
Before heading to Horsham on Tuesday, Williams did some homework, studying a couple of races from the last meeting held at the track in May as well as printing off a track map.
And before partnering Surprise Baby he galloped another horse of Preusker's with a Christine Puls ridden stablemate to get a feel of the layout.
"Surprise Baby, he worked really well, and it was well worth the exercise of going down there to find out a few of his idiosyncrasies," Williams said.
"Paul Preusker doesn't need me to help train his horses and like most trainers, all I can do is give them some feedback.
"He'll be hard to beat on Saturday the way he worked and he's quite forward in condition.
"He's certainly filled out a bit since the last time I was on his back and Paul said the horse was a lot more relaxed this time around."
Williams described Tuesday's hit-and-run visit to Horsham as similar to trips to Werribee in past years to partner international horses in quarantine before big spring assignments.
The jockey was afforded the time pre and post gallop to spend more time with Surprise Baby.
"The work was shorter and sharper but you're on the horse for a lot longer," Williams said.
"You have time to warm up beforehand and then do a cool down after the gallop.
"The Horsham track was in excellent condition and despite it being cold it was a beautiful morning."
Surprise Baby is the $3.10 favourite with TAB Fixed odds following Wednesday's barrier draw with Harbour Views second pick at $3.80 and Sircconi firming from $7 into $6.50.
