Written by Richard Edmunds
An easy victory aboard Savatiano (Street Cry {Ire}) in the G2 Schweppes Tristarc S. brought the curtain down on a satisfying day at Caulfield on Saturday for Craig Williams.
The leading jockey had begun the day on a winning note aboard Extreme Pride (I Am Invincible) in the opening race on the card, and he placed in two other races through the afternoon including G1 Stella Artois Caulfield Cup runner-up Vow and Declare (Declaration of War {USA}).
Williams’ efforts earned him a $100,000 bonus for Racing Victoria’s ‘Star of the Saddle’ initiative, awarded to the rider who accumulates the most points through selected race meetings on a 3-2-1 basis.
“It’s been a fantastic day,” Williams said. “One of the real highlights for me was Vow and Declare, who I thought put in a super trial for the Melbourne Cup. I’m very pleased to have secured the ride for that, most importantly, which is exciting.
“I have to pay credit to all of my team and my family, and the only way the show goes on with Melbourne weather is we’ve got great barrier attendants, clerks of the course and even the people opening the gates – the same friendly faces.
“It’s been a fantastic day." - Craig Williams
“I think it (Star of the Saddle) is a fantastic concept. There’s big money in Sydney at this time of year, so this is a great incentive to stay home. I’m a Melbourne boy.
“I had some great rides today. I was fortunate to have the trainers give me that support, and that the horses delivered for me.
“I think this is a great initiative by Racing Victoria to try to compete with over the border.”
Clear win for Savatiano
The Star of the Saddle award is given to the “best and fairest” rider, meaning any suspension incurred rules a jockey ineligible for the award at that meeting. Williams was involved in severe interference at the 300-metre mark of the Caulfield Cup, but was not deemed to be responsible for the incident. Damian Lane, Michael Dee and Beau Mertens all incurred careless riding suspensions in the Caulfield Cup.
Saturday’s G2 Tristarc was the seventh win for Godolphin mare Savatiano in her 25-start career. It was her third black-type victory, following on from the G3 Glenlogan Park S. and the Listed Mona Lisa S. She also finished third in the G1 Tattersalls Tiara in Brisbane in June.
The 5-year-old’s first start since then was the G2 Blazer S. on October 5, in which she finished fourth.
She went to another level on Saturday, stalking the front-running Teleplay (Written Tycoon) and romping away down the straight to win by two and a quarter lengths.
“Credit to Godolphin, James Cummings, Reg Fleming in Melbourne and the stable,” Williams said. “They were very confident coming into today.
“I hadn’t ridden her on raceday or in work before this, but I’d watched all her replays and saw what she was able to do up in Brisbane. She was second-up today, and the stable told me that she’s a horse who really comes on with her second run.
“She was awesome today. Good girl! Look at how she’s pulled up – she’s really enjoyed today’s win.”
Savatiano holds a nomination for the G1 Winterbottom S. in Perth on November 30.
Angelic Ruler (Universal Ruler) finished second, just ahead of Spanish Whisper (Lope De Vega {Ire}). The winner’s stablemate Pohutukawa (Medaglia d’Oro {USA}) was squeezed back to second-last at the home turn but got going late to finish fourth.
