Williams to ride in Perth and Singapore

Melbourne’s premier jockey Craig Williams will chase Group One wins interstate and abroad on consecutive days when he rides in the Railway Stakes in Perth and the Singapore Gold Cup.

Williams has the ride on He Or She in Saturday’s Railway Stakes at Ascot and has been booked for the Stephen Gray-trained Bahana in the Singapore Gold Cup (2200m) at Kranji the following day.

Five-year-old Bahana has won six times from 12 starts including the Group Three El Dorado Classic (2200m) at his most recent appearance on October 30.

Bahana was ridden to a narrow win in the El Dorado Classic by Singapore-based Australian jockey Vlad Duric who recommended his friend Williams for the Gold Cup ride, with Bahana set to carry a weight below Duric’s range.

“Vlad Duric made a mention to me. He saw I was riding light during Melbourne Cup week and over in Hong Kong (last Sunday) and he actually recommended me for the ride at the weight,” Williams said.

“He’s got a lot of time for the horse.

“He put my name up for the ride and I was lucky enough that obviously his recommendation got me over the line. So I’m really looking forward to it.”

Williams has ridden winners at Kranji in the past but not at Group One level.

He has had Group One success in Australia, Japan, France, Hong Kong, the UAE and UK.

Williams, who rode a stakes race treble at Sandown on Saturday including the Group Two Sandown Guineas on Morton’s Fork, is booked for three rides in Perth where he will try to win the Railway (1600m) for a third time.

He won aboard Good Project last year and Gathering in 2010.

“It’s been a good race to me,” Williams said.

He Or She was formerly based in Perth and has been placed in three Group One races in Melbourne during his spring campaign.

Williams’ rides on Saturday at Ascot include Lusaha in the $500,000 Group Two WA Guineas.