Craig Kerry
When Craig Williams was looking for an autumn replacement for Mr Brightside, a horse he had piloted to eight group 1 wins at 1400m and 1600m, Pericles was his first choice.
By chance, Williams also picked up the ride on another Godolphin star, Tom Kitten.
Luckily for Williams, each has given him a group 1 win, and they have not clashed.
That could change on Saturday in the group 1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick, and Williams was pleased to be with Bjorn Baker-trained Pericles, especially after the Futurity winner drew well in gate one following luckless runs from wide barriers in the George Ryder Stakes and Doncaster.
Pericles looked an even better ride on Friday when All-Star Mile winner Tom Kitten reared in the gates and sat down during a barrier practice while wearing blinkers for the first time. The Anthony and Sam Freedman stable reported Tom Kitten was not injured, but stewards said he would need to pass an inspection on Saturday morning to race.
Regardless, Williams was excited about the opportunity to give Pericles, a $10 TAB chance, an economical run after he finished strongly from poor positions for third to Autumn Glow and fifth to Sheza Alibi at his past two starts.
Williams said an inside draw was key to his win on Sir Delius in last week’s Queen Elizabeth Stakes, and he was hoping it proved pivotal again for another horse he has been with throughout the autumn.
“I needed a replacement for Mr Brightside. Sir Delius was staying in Sydney, so there wasn’t going to be a problem there,” Williams said of getting aboard Pericles.
“I’d been so blessed the past four seasons to have that horse in those 1400-mile races. I had to find a replacement and the first one I went to was Pericles.
“As it’s turned out, through Ben Melham getting suspended, I jumped on Tom Kitten at the same time and I had two really good horses going there.
“Pericles has been fantastic. The scenario coming into Saturday, if he’s had a good two weeks, then he’s going to get the right run. He’s a great horse at 1400m, that’s where he’s won his group 1 [Futurity], he goes on all surfaces, and he’s going really, really well.
“If we had that barrier the past two runs, he’s getting different runs and we’re getting better results, no doubt in my mind.
“Last start he anchored a bit late after that run, that’s why I love him back to 1400m.
“It’s a very deep race, though. It’s a bloody good edition of the All Aged Stakes, but he deserves to be there, and he will be one of the main chances.”
The champion Victorian jockey also has an opportunity to add to his 90 group 1 wins in the Champagne Stakes (1600m), where he rides Ben Brisbourne-trained Grinzinger Heart ($18).
Williams recommended a shot at the Champagne after the filly won the group 2 VRC Sires at 1400m on March 7 at Flemington. Brisbourne also has Salann ($19) in the race as he hunts a first group 1 win.
“She’s extremely lightly raced, she’s going to be better with experience and the trip away will really develop her,” Williams said of Grinzinger Heart.
“I did see Ben on Wednesday, and I said to him, ‘Geez, I hope you put me on the right horse’. He’s got two nice ones in the race, so let’s hope he has.
“She will take a lot of running down, she’s a natural on-speed horse. She didn’t handle the race day last start, even though she won, so she can do things better.
“She’s had that gap between runs and is still growing, according to Ben. I’m excited to see how she’s come on because she has to come on to win this race, but she has the capacity and the upside to do it.”
Gibbons hopes new approach brings group 1 return
Dylan Gibbons feels better than ever as he chases a return to the group 1 winners’ circle on Saturday at Randwick in the Champagne Stakes (1600m).
And while Gibbons knows Southend will need to lift to beat the likes of Sires’ Produce Stakes winner Campione D’Italia, he feels the unbeaten Palace Pier colt has more to give.
Gibbons won group 1s as an apprentice with long shots Explosive Jack in the 2023 Sydney Cup and Kalapour in the 2024 Tancred Stakes.
A shoulder injury late in 2024 hindered his battle to carve out a place in the senior ranks in Sydney, and genuine group 1 chances have been few and far between.
Now with the opportunity aboard $7.50 hope Southend, the 24-year-old felt in great shape to take it with both hands.
“The body is the best it’s probably ever been,” said Gibbons, who stands at 175 centimetres.
“I’ve been looking after it a bit more now with this diet, and I’ve really found a good spot where I’m on top of recovery.
“I’ve learned how to fuel myself in the best possible way and stay light, so it’s physically and mentally probably the happiest I’ve been with it and the frustrating thing is I wish I did that from the start.
“I’ve mostly been a tad heavier, but I can still ride at 53, 52 kilos most weekends, so I’ve got into a good spot.”
Gibbons rode Southend in his last-to-first win on debut over 1300m at Newcastle before their commanding victory in the group 3 Baillieu Handicap (1400m).
“The way he quickened at Newcastle was so different to Rosehill,” he said.
“He seemed very casual at Rosehill. The only horse he had to beat was directly in front of him, and it just felt like he thought he was in a bit of track work.
“I know a few people have questioned the times out of the race, but I don’t think that was him at his very best. I think he was being a bit of a casual colt that day, and won as he liked.
“I’m not denying that the Slipper-Sires lead-ups are going to be the superior form, but our bloke’s two from two. He takes them on now to see where he’s at. His work suggests he’s still going as good as he has all along.”
