Racing: Plenty of vigour in upbeat jockey's stride

MELBOURNE - Jockey Craig Williams is upbeat about his spring prospects which could include the mounts on Caulfield Cup favourite Vigor, leading Caulfield Guineas chance Trusting and, possibly, an international runner in the Melbourne Cup.

Williams said Caulfield trainer Danny O'Brien had sounded him out to see if he would be able to ride Vigor at 51kg in the Caulfield Cup if Damien Oliver failed to make the weight.

"He said Damien has first refusal. If he can make the weight or the weights are raised he'll ride him.

"But it's great to be in the mix. He looks an exciting horse on his win the other day," Williams said.

Oliver, who rode Vigor to victory in the Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington, said he would consider getting down to the 51kg to ride the O'Reilly 5-year-old in the Caulfield Cup, a race he had won four times, one short of the record held by the legendary Scobie Breasley.

Oliver rode at 54.5kg on Saturday.

Warwick Stakes winner Trusting, owned by Nathan Tinkler's Patinack Farm Racing Syndicate, is second pick in the betting at $8 for the Caulfield Guineas behind Denman ($4).

Williams will ride Galaxy winner Nicconi who resumes in Saturday's McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley.

The David Hayes-trained 4-year-old is being prepared for the Manikato Stakes (1200m) at the Valley night meeting on September 25.

"He'll improve vastly on whatever he does on Saturday," Williams said.

He doesn't have a ride in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes (1600m), a race he won last year aboard Guillotine but is confident his mount, Leica Ding, would be competitive in a tough Stocks Stakes (1600m) at weight-for-age for mares.

Williams was also keen on My Emotion in the 3-year-old fillies' 1200m race on Saturday.

Prepared by Mick Kent, the Savabeel filly was ridden by Williams when she won the Thoroughbred Breeders Stakes (1200m) at Flemington at her only start last March.

"She steps out for the first time this spring on Saturday. I've got a bit of time for her, she's a nice, scopey filly."

Other Williams' mounts over the spring will be the Tony Vasil-trained Carrara who he rode to victory at Flemington on Saturday and the Tony Noonan-trained QTC Cup winner Ortensia.

Williams said he was also in line to ride an international stayer which could be his Melbourne Cup ride but would not reveal the horse's name.

Cox Plate favourite Whobegotyou will be out to break a run of outs and maintain his unbeaten record at Moonee Valley when he runs in the Dato Tan Chin Nam Stakes.

The gelding has won his only three starts at the Valley including the Stutt Stakes (1600m) last September and the AAMI Vase (2040m) on Cox Plate Day last October.

However, last season's champion 3-year-old award winner hasn't triumphed in eight starts since the AAMI Vase, running second five times and third once.

But trainer Mark Kavanagh is happy with the 4-year-old. "Every time he goes out he's trying to win and favoured.

"He's a bit older now. His best runs have been over a mile (1600m) or better so we've got to wait and see."

- AAP