Craig Williams says he will have a little control on where Niconero will be in the run as he attempts to become only the seventh multiple winner of the time-honoured Group One Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.Niconero has drawn the inside gate in the field of eight but Williams said the barrier draw wouldn't impact on the David Hayes-trained Niconero in Saturday's 1600m feature."You have to ride Niconero. You can't ride the race," Williams said.He said the key was ensuring the seven-year-old was hap

Craig Williams says he will have a little control on where Niconero will be in the run as he attempts to become only the seventh multiple winner of the time-honoured Group One Futurity Stakes at Caulfield.

Niconero has drawn the inside gate in the field of eight but Williams said the barrier draw wouldn't impact on the David Hayes-trained Niconero in Saturday's 1600m feature.

"You have to ride Niconero. You can't ride the race," Williams said.

He said the key was ensuring the seven-year-old was happy so he could produce his best.

"If he's grumpy and wants to be aggressive he's not a nice ride," Williams said.

"He has to be where he's happy. He will box seat on his own or he will be back last.

"I'm pretty sure David's instructions will be don't force the horse anywhere he doesn't want to be."

Niconero is lining up for his fourth Futurity Stakes after finishing fifth in 2006 and sixth in 2007.

Williams won last year's Futurity Stakes on the gelding but has only ridden him twice since for 11th in the Dubai Duty Free in March last year and 11th in the Group Three AAMI Travel at Flemington in November.

He picked up the ride on Niconero after regular rider Brad Rawiller had been booked for Weekend Hussler who didn't accept on Wednesday for the race because of an injured back.

Williams said this year's Futurity was stronger than last year but he still expected Niconero to figure prominently despite his last-start 10th to Maldivian when checked in running in the Orr Stakes.

"It was a good run under the circumstances the other day," Williams said.

"I worked him at Werribee during the week and I was really happy with him.

"He's going really well and he looks great.

"He's ready for a back-to-back repeat."

Price assessors are divided on the chances of Niconero with his quote varying from $8.50 to $12.

TAB Sportsbet has him at $11 while the Mick Price-trained Alamosa is the $2.80 favourite ahead of stablemate Light Fantastic ($3).

The only horses to win the Futurity more than once in its 110-year history are Schillaci (1993, 1995), Manikato (1979-80-81, 1983), Idolou (1973-74), St Razzle (1949-50), Ajax (1938-39-40) and Gladsome in 1905-06.