Power pair head west

By David Nagel
CRANBOURNE trainers and jockeys have had a glorious run through the Spring Carnival and that looks set to continue in Perth this Saturday when two locals aim for Group One glory.
Trainer Mark Webb has booked the in-form Craig Williams for the ride on Avienus in the $1 million Railway Stakes (1600m) at Ascot, and after a minor setback he is confident his six-year-old mare is up for the challenge.
“Yeah, she had some issues on the flight over, she got colic and spent the night in the vet clinic, but they treated her well and she seems fine now,” Webb said from Perth.
“It’s caused by dehydration and stress – she’s just not an experienced traveller.
“I’m pretty confident she’s 100 per cent now, she galloped on Tuesday and came through that well.”
Avienus contested her second successive Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley last month finishing down the track after suffering severe interference in the rough-house affair. She finished second to Descarado in the Caulfield Stakes (2000m) at her previous run.
“Forget she ran in the Cox Plate,” Webb said.
“She got smashed and her form before that was pretty good.
“Craig has ridden her before so he knows her well, I feel more confident with him on board, he’s the ultimate professional.”
Williams is aiming for a Group One double in Perth on Saturday before he leaves Australia to take up a six week contract in Japan. He rides Ortensia, prepared by Paul Messara, in the $1 million Winterbottom Stakes (1200m).
The spring’s headline hoop has had success in both races in recent times.
He won last year’s Railway Stakes when he guided the John Thompson-trained Gathering to an all-the-way victory and two years ago he rode Ortensia, then trained by Tony Noonan, to an impressive victory in the Winterbottom. His spring has been well documented. He won the Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate before missing the ride on Dunaden in the Melbourne Cup through suspension.
He heads to the west in great form, with four winners at his return meeting at Sandown on Saturday, the final feature meeting of the Melbourne spring carnival. The last of his winners coming in the last race of the day on the Pakenham trained Hi Belle for John Gunning.
He topped off his day with a star jump, made famous by top European jockey, Franki Dettori.
“I only do that on special days”, Williams said. He has also picked up the rides on the Trevor Andrews-trained King Saul in the Group Two Western Australian Guineas (1600m) and the Thompson-trained Saint Encosta in the Listed Tattersall’s Cup (2100m).
It could be another special day for the Cranbourne connection.