IN the aftermath of Pride Of Jenni’s amazing win in the All-Star Mile most of the discussion centred around Craig Williams’ ride on the favourite Mr Brightside.
The Mr Brightside camp wanted him to settle closer to Pride Of Jenni in the run but as Williams explained there were mitigating circumstances with horses he was following dropping back on top of him or not going anywhere.
When champion jockeys such as Damien Oliver point out that there’s nothing else Williams could do you also have to listen.
The situation got so silly that Mr Brightside’s connections had a vote on whether Williams would retain the ride on him which they subsequently agreed he would.
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If the field was smaller and more quality over quantity, there’s no question Williams would have settled closer but does that mean he would have run her down.
That’s doubtful as he was out of petrol in the closing stages and he was beaten two lengths. At their last clash over 1600 metres he finished 1.25 lengths behind her in the VRC Champions Mile at Flemington.
It was no wonder Pride Of Jenni’s owner Tony Ottobre proclaimed her the Number One miler after her win.
Now it’s on to the Australian Cup on March 30 where they will clash again. Third placegetter Cascadian will relish the 2000 metres trip as will Gold Trip.
The Australian Cup will be the race of the autumn in Melbourne and possibly Sydney as in addition to the above mentioned quartet there will be Legarto, Atishu, Young Werther and Vow And Declare in action.
