Jockey Craig Williams is not yet getting too exited about reuniting with Dunaden in Melbourne later this year. The Mikel Delzangles-trained entire was the shock entry when nominations for the $6.2 million Emirates Melbourne Cup closed on Tuesday, reports Racing Victoria.
But Williams was not surprised to see the 2011 Melbourne Cup winner and last year’s Caulfield Cup champion entered, suggesting connections were always likely to keep their options open with the Group 1 Prix Foy in France on 15 September to determine plans.
“I think they had to nominate him for the Melbourne Cup, but whether or not he comes out is another thing,” he said. “Everyone will know that answer after he runs in France his next start.
“But I haven’t spoken to David Redvers (racing manager) or Sheikh Fahad (owner) or Mikel Delzangles (about riding him).
“But he’s a Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup and Geelong Cup winner. He’s got pretty good credentials here in Australia.”
Williams started his association with Dunaden in the 2011 Geelong Cup, which they won, but was suspended when he won the Emirates Melbourne Cup, with Christophe Lemaire aboard.
Williams was back aboard for last year’s Spring Racing Carnival, at which he became only the fifth Melbourne Cup winner to come back and win the Caulfield Cup.