BORN and bred Cranbourne jockey Craig Williams continued his amazing run of success on Sunday when he steered Melbourne Cup winner Dunaden to victory in the Group One Hong Kong Vase (2400m).
One of the biggest days on the international racing calendar, the Sha Tin meeting silenced the doubters who questioned whether the Melbourne Cup form would stack up on the world stage.
Cup runner-up Red Cadeaux also ran a bottler, finishing in third place.
Like most of Williams’ mounts through the spring, Dunaden received a gun ride from the champion hoop and the pair gained a late split to run down the Hong Kong local, Thumbs Up, in the shadows of the post.
“People queried whether the Cup form was good enough but I didn’t have any doubts,” Williams said.
“He was awesome today. He was in a handy spot and responded so well when I called on him.”
Williams’ achievements this spring are too long to list but include the Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate and Winterbottom Stakes.