Craig Williams hopes to convert a Melbourne Cup placing into a Hong Kong Vase victory aboard European raider Mount Athos.

Williams partnered Mount Athos in a 1200-metre workout at Sha Tin on Thursday and came away adamant the horse had improved since his third to Fiorente in Australia’s most famous race.
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“He feels great and he looks better to my eye than he did in Melbourne,” Williams said.

“I’m not saying that barrier 22 beat him in the Melbourne Cup but we might have pressed the first two a bit further with a better draw and a softer run.

“I really like the fact that this horse has shown some versatility now and were not committed to riding him back.”

Mount Athos, who will start from barrier six, will be among five Vase contenders who competed in the Melbourne Cup.

The others are Red Cadeaux and Dandino, along with Simenon and Dunaden who contested the Japan Cup in between.

Linton will be the only Australian-trained runner in action at the International meeting when he lines up in the Hong Kong Mile.

He worked over 800m on Thursday, pleasing travelling foreman Troy Corstens.

“To my eye he looks ready to explode and we’re really happy with him,” Corstens said.