Craig Williams to ride Catchy in Diamond

Craig Williams has settled on the Lindsay Park-trained Catchy as his mount in the Blue Diamond Stakes at Caulfield.

In the end it was Catchy’s unbeaten status and how she reminds the jockey of former Golden Slipper and VRC Oaks winner Miss Finland that won out.

Williams delayed his decision until Monday so as to check on the condition of the Ciaron Maher-trained Jukebox and Robert Smerdon’s Property before announcing his mount.

“I’ve got associations with all the owners and the trainers are the best trainers you can have training these horses,” Williams said.

“In the end she is undefeated, she’s come through the traditional lead-up race and as soon as I sat on her she reminded me of Miss Finland and that carries a lot of weight for me.”

Catchy was promoted to the top line of betting at $6 for the $1.5 million Blue Diamond on February 25 following her win in the fillies Prelude at Caulfield on Saturday.

Williams has ridden Catchy in her three victories while also partnering Jukebox to his two successes as well as Property at his past two wins.

He said making his call all the more difficult was he can see bright futures for all three horses beyond their two-year-old season.

“The decision was made tough, not just about the race in two weeks, but because I’ve got so much faith in the horses and where they’re going to be,” Williams said.

“Not just in their two-year-old careers but also as three and four-year-olds going onwards.

“These decisions have to be made and I’ve been lucky to be associated with some very good horses.”

Hong Kong-based managing-owner David Price said Joao Moreira was “favourite, and short” to ride Property.

Price has to pay a $55,000 late entry fee for Property to contest the Blue Diamond after his win in the males division of the Prelude on Saturday.

“I’ve got to find the deadline for when that gets paid,” Price said.

“I want to make sure he’s in tip-top condition and it’s not something that is being done to make up the numbers.

“He’s got to be in good form but he seems to have come out of the race good.”

It is expected Luke Nolen will ride Jukebox.