Champion jockey Craig Williams couldn’t be happier after having his first sit on Cox Plate favourite Zaaki in a course proper gallop at Sandown on Tuesday morning.
The seven-year-old will have his Melbourne debut on Saturday in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes at Sandown.
The former European, trained by Annabel Neasham, stormed into Cox Plate favouritism off the back of a scintillating first-up win in the Group 2 Tramway Stakes at Randwick, and Williams feels he’s justified his $2.50 quote in the Cox Plate.
“I’m really happy with the way he’s progressing and where Annabel's got him,” Williams said on SEN Track’s Bensley.
“I personally didn’t think there was any surprise with the way he came back in the Tramway and to do what he did.
“This is a demolition job in the Tramway!”
— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) September 4, 2021
Zaaki is simply sensational, bring on the spring 👏
@ANeashamRacing @mcacajamez @aus_turf_club pic.twitter.com/B41WU8L8dk
“He’s Cox Plate favourite for a reason. I’m really looking forward to Saturday’s Underwood Stakes at Sandown.”
A stakes winner in England, Williams feels the Sandown track will be of no concern for connections, given he’s won on arguably the “trickiest” track in the world, Epson Showgrounds.
“He handled the track extremely well which is no surprise when you look into his European form, he’s a record holder at Epson and he’s won twice there, and I’d say Epson is one of the most trickiest tracks in the world,” he added.
“He has that presence about him when he just walks around, let alone being on his back.”
In other news for Williams, the Melbourne Cup-winning jockey has been booked to ride the second favourite in the Cup, Spanish Mission.