Craig Williams’ rides are usually reserved for blue blood million-dollar gallopers.
The globe-trotting hoop, fresh from a successful stint in Japan, is the reigning Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate winner. He should have a Melbourne Cup in the trophy cabinet, too.
Today he will jump in the saddle of a mare bought for a paltry $2000 intended to be used as a hack.
It could be racing’s version of the prince and the pauper when Williams and Arms Length combine on glitzy Magic Millions day on the Gold Coast.
The mare’s trainer, Kurt Goldman, slept on the beach after arriving on the Gold Coast, patiently awaiting for check-in time at the hotel after a long night of driving.
You would forgive even the most hearty of racegoers, let alone holidaymakers seeking a little bit of sun, for not blinking if they were to come across the young Kembla conditioner.
He has just two horses who have made it to the track after taking his licence out 12 months ago. Both have won races and now Goldman has his shot at the spoils of a $164,000 race, the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Handicap.
‘‘Considering it’s a world class stage and the biggest owners and trainers all come here for the one day, to have a runner and see people [is great],’’ Goldman said of the opportunity to be in racing’s shop window.
Even some old faces have emerged to pass on their best wishes.
‘‘I’ve already had the guy, Richard Kelly, who bred her, come over and congratulate me on how well the mare’s going. It’s good to have those sort of people notice who you are. I’m really glad I’m here now and it should be a good day [today].’’
Goldman’s small team is not through a lack of interest, but rather design.
Small steps, they say, are always better when learning your craft - especially when your background has included rodeo riding.
‘‘The rodeo and everything was sort of just a phase you went through as a teenager,’’ he said.
‘‘I’ve known for a long time that I’d eventually want to get into racing. This was always going to be the goal at the end of the day.
‘‘The only thing I was a little sceptical about is that when you start with racehorses it’s very demanding. You are tied down for seven days a week and there’s no going on holidays.
‘‘That’s why I’ve taken my time and I’ve only got a small team of horses because I don’t want to tie myself down too much just yet.’’
He might not have a choice if Arms Length can spring a surprise today.
Ever since being a $70,000 purchase for Paul Messara at the 2008 sales, Arms Length has surprised.
First, she was so underwhelming the Scone horseman discarded her to Kembla’s Louise Dean for next-to-nothing.
Then Dean selflessly gave the horse away to Goldman when her daughter, Lauren, was killed in a cattle truck accident near Yass. Arms Length was intended for Lauren to be used as a hack.
Now she has arguably Australia’s best jockey aboard.
‘‘He’s a world class jockey,’’ Goldman said. ‘‘There’s not much you can really tell those guys that they don’t already know.
‘‘I will just let him do what he wants.’’
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