The decision to run Carrara in Wednesday's Hareeba Stakes at Mornington has been given the thumbs up by jockey Craig Williams.The Caulfield Guineas runner-up was also nominated for the Group Two D'Urban Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday but looming large in that race was Denman.Carrara has played bridesmaid to Denman at his past two starts and Williams says trainer Tony Vasil's decision to bypass another clash with the star colt was a smart move.Williams has ridden Carrara three times for

The decision to run Carrara in Wednesday's Hareeba Stakes at Mornington has been given the thumbs up by jockey Craig Williams.

The Caulfield Guineas runner-up was also nominated for the Group Two D'Urban Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on Saturday but looming large in that race was Denman.

Carrara has played bridesmaid to Denman at his past two starts and Williams says trainer Tony Vasil's decision to bypass another clash with the star colt was a smart move.

Williams has ridden Carrara three times for two wins, including his Bill Stutt Stakes victory last spring, and has a high opinion of the son of Vasil's former top galloper Elvstroem.

"If Denman, So You Think and Trusting weren't around, well he's still a top three-year-old but he's just run into a great year," Williams said of Carrara.

"I think Tony Vasil has pulled the right rein trying to give him a win and a bit of confidence by taking on the older horses in the Hareeba."

Carrara has drawn ideally in barrier three for Wednesday's Listed 1200-metre race which has attracted a final field of 12.

Among his rivals will be talented sprinter Midnight Mustang, who was successful at Group Three level in Adelaide in August, 2008 Stradbroke Handicap winner Mr Baritone and the Group One-placed Estee from the Lee Freedman stable.

Williams will also ride Blackfriars Bridge for trainer Geoff Cousins in the feature Mornington Cup.

The consistent mare will be on trial over 2400 metres after scoring over 2040m at Moonee Valley four starts ago and being placed at her past two runs over 2000 metres at Flemington.

Vasil will also be represented in the Cup by the in-form Apprehend who has won three of his past four starts.