Connections of Sertorius have snapped up the services of champion jockey Craig Williams for the Memsie Stakes ride after Rebel Dane’s defection from the race.
Williams was due to ride Rebel Dane but trainer Gary Portelli had to withdraw his entry before nominations were finalised on Monday because of a stone bruise.
Sertorius’ regular jockey Ryan Maloney was suspended at Seymour last Thursday for 10 meetings for careless riding.
Sertorius’ trainer Jamie Edwards said Maloney wasn’t confident of winning his appeal against the severity, which was dismissed on Tuesday, and Williams was booked as his replacement.
The seven-year-old gelding has run well first-up but Edwards said after a Sydney Cup campaign in the autumn Sertorius does not seem as fresh this time around as he has off previous light autumn campaigns.
“He doesn’t seem as fresh but he’s still working quite well,” Edwards said.
“He looks like a horse that when he gets to 2000 metres and 2400 metres, he’s going to come into his own.
“I’m certainly not expecting him to win the Memsie, by any means, but hopefully he’ll be doing the right thing at the end of the race.”
His main spring target is likely to be the Caulfield Cup.