HONG KONG Globetrotting jockey Craig Williams has given notice to Hong Kong fans to welcome one of the genuine superstars of Australian racing at Sha Tin on April 27.
He is referring to Mr Brightside, the winner of 19 from 43 races - including nine Group 1 - and over A$17.3 million (S$14.5 million) in prize money.
The Bullbars seven-year-old has arrived to take on local hero Voyage Bubble and some of the world's finest in the HK$24 million Group 1 FWD Champions Mile (1,600m).
"Mr Brightside is an absolute warrior," said Williams, who has won 17 races from 39 rides on the gelding.
"He's a star, and he competes at the elite level every time he goes around.
"He has a following, everyone loves him in Australia. He will carry the weight of a nation when it comes to the big day at Sha Tin.
"I am very privileged to ride him. He has been developed by the Hayes boys (Ben, Will and JD). He was their first Group 1 (winner) together, and it has been a privilege to be part of his journey.
"He's a very special horse. He's one of the best milers in Australia.
"When he stretched out to 2,000m, he was beaten only by international mega star Romantic Warrior in the (Group 1) Cox Plate (2,040m) - beaten by the shortest of margins."
The three young men who train Mr Brightside - the Hayes brothers, Ben, 34, and twins JD and Will, 29 - are third-generation trainers who have put the famous Lindsay Park Racing operation back on the map in Australia.
Williams' connection with the Hayes family goes back over two decades. When he was based in Hong Kong between 2003 and 2005, he was the No. 2 rider for David Hayes, father of Ben, Will and JD.
"Gerald Mosse was his first jockey but he was in the heavier bracket and I was picking up the lightweight rides," said Williams.
That association came soon after Williams had a stint riding for Mick Channon in England, during which he partnered Sheikh Ahmed Al Maktoum's Tobougg to victory in the Group 1 Dewhurst Stakes (1,400m) at Newmarket.
After his overseas adventures, Williams returned home to Melbourne, which coincided with Hayes' return after his 10-year stay in Hong Kong. Williams went on to win nine jockeys' titles in Victoria.
"Five of those were (while) riding for David. When I came back, David backed me," he said.
"Half of my championships were due to the dominance of Lindsay Park and me being lucky enough to be their No. 1 rider."
As for the Hayes brothers, Williams reckoned they are exceptional in what they do.
"They are impressive young men. Most importantly, they are getting the results," he said.
"Not just Group 1 winners, we are talking about placing horses and educating them. They know their horses so well and they are impressive as an organisation."
Williams said he fulfilled an ambition when he won the HK$26 million BMW Hong Kong Derby (2,000m) on the Francis Lui-trained Cap Ferrat on March 23.
"I rode in my first Hong Kong Derby 24 years ago. I was second on a horse trained by Lawrie Fownes and owned by a family friend, Ben Wong, for whom I ended up winning an earlier race on Derby Day this year," he said.
"I was thrilled to win the big one, particularly being trained by Francis, who gave me so much support during my time in Hong Kong."
Cap Ferrat will run in the HK$28 million Group 1 FWD Queen Elizabeth II Cup (2,000m), taking his chance against Ascot's Group 1 King George VI and Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2,400m) winner Goliath, Japan's Prognosis and New Zealand's El Vencedor.
"While Cap Ferrat needs to find something on official ratings, he had never managed to get his head in front before the Derby last month," said Williams, who will take the reins on Cap Ferrat again.
"He has the capacity to improve because he's now a winner." HKJC
