Lightning Ready To Strike, Says Williams

Sydney Morning Herald

Friday September 14, 2007

John Schell

JOCKEY Craig Williams is not conceding Saturday's first group 1 race of the season, the Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley, to the likes of Toowoomba tornado Gold Edition and unbeaten sprinter Here De Angels.

Williams takes the ride in the Manikato on the David Hayes-trained Husson Lightning and rates the three-year-old "the knockout horse" in the race.

"His first-up run in the McEwen Stakes behind Here De Angels and Gold Edition was just a complete 'forget he went around' effort," Williams said on Thursday.

"I had plenty of horse underneath me but nowhere to go when I needed to go forward."

Husson Lightning was up with the best of his generation in his two-year-old season, and Williams said the Manikato Stakes would give a good guide on his future spring prospects.

"He is drawn to get the run of the race from gate three so it will be a good opportunity to see how he stacks up with group 1 weight-for-age company," he said. "I think he can measure up."

In the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes, Williams rides the Hayes-prepared Confectioner, long regarded as an enigma due to his inconsistent form.

Confectioner hasn't won since scoring in the Craiglee Stakes at Flemington more than two years ago, but Williams pointed out: "He was first-up over the mile that day and the same [scenario] applies for this Saturday.

"He has the ability to win, there is no doubt about that. It is just a matter of him putting it all together on the day."

Williams rides Arcadia, one of three Hayes-trained fillies in the Champagne Stakes, and he has no doubt she can handle the rise to group 3 company after a debut win at Seymour. "She gave me a really nice feel when she won her only start," he said. "She gathered up rivals easily and won going away. I think she is a really nice filly."

Spielmeister awaits Williams in the Curran Chemicals Handicap, an d the jockey hopes the Hayes-trained five-year-old can improve on a lacklustre second-up effort at Caulfield.

"He was very impressive when he won first-up but he disappointed me greatly the other day," he said. "David has changed his work around so we are hoping that will do the trick."

Williams said he could not wait until Saturday week at Caulfield when champion mare Miss Finland attempts to back up her resuming Memsie Stakes victory in the group 1 Underwood Stakes in which a clash with West Australian star Marasco looms.

© 2007 Sydney Morning Herald

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