Trackwork ‘win’ has Williamsburg ready to fire
A little horse psychology appears to have had the desired effect on Williamsburg as his trainers bid to help him end a 19-month drought from the winner’s list.
The four-year-old hasn’t tasted success since the 2022 Dulcify Quality when he defeated subsequent Group 1 Randwick Guineas winner Communist on a heavy track.
Following a brace of seconds at his past two starts, trainers Gerald Ryan and Sterling Alexiou have delved into their bag of tricks, simulating a win for Williamsburg on the training track to remind him how it feels to get his head in front.
Ryan believes it has given the horse a welcome confidence boost ahead of his assignment in Saturday’s rescheduled Listed Lord Mayors Cup (2000m) at Randwick.
“He worked with a mate on Tuesday morning, he sat three lengths back off him and we made him run to him and go past him,” Ryan said.
“Tyler (Schiller) rode him and he came back and said, ‘this will be winning a race shortly’ and I said, ‘as long as you win on him on Saturday’.”
The Lord Mayors Cup was one of five races washed out at Rosehill last weekend and Ryan said the extra time would only advantage Williamsburg, who would have been racing on a seven-day back-up.
Instead, he has had a fortnight between runs and heads to Randwick where he has posted two of his four wins.
Perhaps more significantly, he gets not only his favoured heavy conditions, but a return to 2000 metres.
Williamsburg has raced over the journey three times for two minor placings and a solid fifth at Group 1 level in Sharp ‘N’ Smart’s 2022 Spring Champion Stakes.
“He ran fifth in the (Spring) Champion Stakes, third in the Rosehill Guineas and he ran third to Osipenko in the Frank Packer Plate when he should have probably won,” Ryan said.
“I went back and had a look at his three 2000-metre races and he has always gone better when he’s been ridden a bit quieter, so he will be ridden quiet.
“There looks enough speed there on Saturday to do that.”
With the scratching of the fancied Waterford, most of the Lord Mayors Cup runners have tightened in betting but few more so than Williamsburg.
His price has almost halved from an opening quote of $11 into $6, making him an equal second pick behind $4.80 favourite Sir Lucan with betting apps.
More Racing News
Extragalactic's Flemington mission in McEwen Stakes
While many in the racing world will lament the closure of the old Moonee Valley track, trainer Trent Edmonds isn't lamenting the timing of its renovation.This Saturday marks the first Cox Plate meeting to be held away from 'The Valley', and Edmonds is set to be at Flemington with Extragalactic,...
Blind Raise's faith rewarded with Cox Plate start
Trent Busuttin is aware that if the primary goal was to secure a Group 1 victory, the more prudent strategy would be to send Blind Raise to Sydney for this Saturday's Spring Champion Stakes.Nevertheless, he also recognises that the type of opportunity that has arisen this year is not a...
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...