By David Nagel
CRANBOURNE jockey Craig Williams continued his irresistible form on Saturday when he guided grand mare Ortensia to victory in the Group One Winterbottom Stakes at Ascot in Perth.
Australia’s in-form hoop headed off to Japan on Tuesday for a six-week stint with his head still spinning after a remarkable spring campaign that saw him constantly in the headlines.
The win followed victory in the Group Two WA Guineas aboard King Saul, which followed four wins at Sandown last Saturday and victory in the Caulfield Cup on Southern Speed and Cox Plate aboard the Cranbourne trained Pinker Pinker.
The victory was special for Williams, who was on board the six-year-old mare when she won the Group One Galaxy at Randwick last year only to be disqualified on a drug technicality.
This was her second Winterbottom victory – Williams guiding her to victory in 2009 when the race was a Group Two.
“She was awesome,” Williams declared.
“It is just great to finally be part of her first Group One win. And it is special because this is my last day riding on Australian soil this year because I’m off to Japan on Tuesday.
“As far as we’re concerned, she’s always been a Group One horse but this just confirms it.”
Ortensia, trained by Paul Messara, settled nicely in fifth place in the 1200m race before Williams released the brakes half way down the straight to win running away by a length.
Ortensia made it two from two this preparation in the Winterbottom after winning a listed race at Flemington on Oaks Day.
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