Craig Williams selects Catchy in 2017 Blue Diamond
CRAIG Williams confirmed on Twitter what punters had assumed after watching the racing from Caulfield on Saturday – he’ll be riding Catchy in the 2017 Blue Diamond Stakes.
Williams’ decision had been making headlines over the past two weeks following a hot run of form in the Blue Diamond Preludes and Previews. Williams had the choice between five hopefuls, but he ultimately decided to partner the unbeaten Catchy.
I am riding Catchy in the Blue Diamond pic.twitter.com/tJDAeD6rCv
— Craig Williams (@CWilliamsJockey) February 13, 2017
The two-year-old filly is unbeaten from three starts and Williams has saluted in every start to date. The Lindsay Park-trained daughter of Fastnet Rock was an impressive winner in the Prelude on Saturday when beating Limestone and many punters thought Williams would choose Catchy.
The highly-regarded filly was ridden off the speed in the hopes to further educate it before the February 25 feature at Caulfield and bookmakers have been forced to cut its odds.
Catchy firmed into $5.50 at Sportsbet following its win on Saturday, but after Williams confirmed his decision, its odds tumbled into $4.80 with the Australian-based bookmaker.
Punters can get better odds of +500 at WilliamHill.com.au which looks like great value and is likely to be better than what’s offered on race day.
Williams also had the choice between Formality ($8), Jukebox ($9), Property ($8) and Tulip ($13), but the clear top pick was always going to be Catchy.
Williams compared Catchy to champion filly Miss Finland, which Williams finished second with in the 2006 Blue Diamond behind Nadeem.
“She was very impressive, she is a group one horse,” Williams said.
“When I first trialled her I felt she had a feeling of Miss Finland about her.”