News

Williams' initiative wins the day

20th Sep 2010

*Herald Sun - Saturday, 18 September 2010

JOCKEY Craig Williams put his trust in mare Response when they led all the way in the Group One Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.

The bold tactics were a shock to co-trainers Mathew Ellerton and Simon Zahra.

"I was headless when he went to the front but all credit to him," Ellerton said.

Williams said he weighed up his options quickly from barrier five and, mindful that he had led all the way on Response in the Group Three Matron Stakes (1600m) at Flemington in March, decided to take his chances.

"I didn't have that many options where I was early and I just had to trust her," said Williams who also won the feature on Barely A Moment (2005) and Rewaaya (2006).

"She needed to be good, tough and strong and she was."

Barry and Midge Griffiths celebrated their second win in the race after Caulfield Cup winner Mannerism carried their pale blue and yellow colours to victory in 1992.

"I think I am more excited than I was back then," Barry Griffiths said.

Response has won three of her eight starts and been placed second four times including when first-up in the Cockram Stakes (1200m) won by Rhythm In Paris and to No Evidence Needed in the Let's Elope Stakes (1400m) at Flemington two weeks ago.

Backed from $6 to $4.80, Response reversed the Let's Elope placings when she held on to beat No Evidence Needed ($13) by a long neck while Queensland sprinter Woorim ($17) ran home strongly to finish a short half-head away third.

Ellerton said Response showed last autumn she had Group One potential and he was not afraid for her to take on the males.

"She is a late maturer and has come a long way in a short time," Ellerton said.

"I have always had a big opinion of her and always said she was a Group One mare.

"Even before she ran first-up this campaign it was a plan to run her in this race.

"She is a super mare, lightly raced and I hope she can go on with it."

He said the Group One Myer Classic (1600m) at Flemington on Derby Day was her next major goal.

"I am not sure what she will run in to get there," Ellerton said.

He said he would also like to aim Response at a sprint down the straight at Flemington but would wait until next autumn.

"I think she would be explosive up the straight," Ellerton said.

Doubtful Jack started $3.30 favourite in the Rupert Clarke but was unable to assert the dominance he has shown at Flemington at his last four starts and finished sixth.

Boom galloper We're Gonna Rock was backed from $11 to $9 and made up good ground in the last 200 metres to finish fifth.