Craig Williams happy with Valley double

Australian jockey Craig Williams (C) has notched a double at the Happy Valley meeting in Hong Kong.

Visiting Australian jockey Craig Williams has notched a double at the Happy Valley meeting in Hong Kong.

Melbourne’s premier rider is on a short contract in Hong Kong to help with a lack of lightweight riders because of suspensions and injuries.

Although he has ridden many times at Sha Tin, Williams has been an infrequent visitor to Happy Valley and last rode a winner at the midweek venue in 2005.

His two wins on Wednesday night came aboard the Tony Millard-trained Cloud Nine and Chris So’s Travel Ambassador.

“I love riding in Hong Kong,” Williams told the Hong Kong Jockey Club.

“The skills I learnt here along with my experiences in Europe helped me to five championships back in Australia, so it is always special to come back.

“I don’t get the chance to ride at Happy Valley too often and I know it’s been a while since I won here but I loved being back.”

Douglas Whyte also rode a double at his last meeting for the year with the multiple champion jockey to serve a one-month suspension for his ride on second-placed Scales Of Justice in the Kingston Town Stakes in Perth last Saturday week.

Whyte was hit with the ban for failing to ride the horse out to the line in the Group One race in which Stratum Star came with late sprint to win by a nose.