Craig Williams hopes to finish a packed weekend strongly by securing a Group 1 prize in Hong Kong, guiding 2025 Hong Kong Derby winner Cap Ferrat through the Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2000m) at Sha Tin on April 26.
Williams faces a near-full slate of rides at Adelaide’s Morphettville on Saturday before flying out for Champions Day in Hong Kong.
The 2025 Hong Kong Derby provided Cap Ferrat with his lone success so far, reinforced by robust displays in the Group 1 Champions & Chater Cup plus the Group 3 Premier Plate late last campaign.
As the $3.90 favourite, the Snitzel gelding bled in November’s Group 2 Sa Sa Ladies’ Purse (1800m), but he reappeared in fine fettle, rallying late in the Chairman’s Trophy (1600m) earlier this month.
Williams gained the riding engagement after reaching out post the Chairman’s Trophy performance.
“His first up run last preparation was enormous and then all of a sudden, he’d come through with health issues, and then subsequently to see him back, I was taken and pleased by his first-up performance,” he said.
“I touched base when I flew back from Sydney on Sunday last week, I rang up Francis and said, ‘Oh, how’s Cap Ferrat? Where’s he going?’ He said, ‘he’s going to go to the Champions Day on the 26th.’ I said, ‘I’ll be keen to ride him.'”
“The next morning, I got a message to say that I was confirmed to ride him, and I was delighted to be re-associated with him.”
Over 12 months on, Williams cherishes the emotion tied to his Hong Kong Derby conquest aboard Cap Ferrat.
“I spent three years riding in Hong Kong and the Derby is their biggest race and it’s the equivalent to the Melbourne Cup.
“To get the opportunity to ride Cap Ferrat and to win the race was really special. Because I spent so much time there, I understand the magnitude of the race and to have that prize now, so far, one Hong Kong derby is brilliant.”
Williams tops the Morphettville card Saturday with Super Smink in the Group 1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) and Paltrow Miss in the Group 1 Australasian Oaks (2000m).
From there, it’s off to Hong Kong to also ride Juneau Pride and Ensued for trainer John Size with Cap Ferrat.
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