Jockey Craig Williams scored his fourth win of the day with Hi Belle at Sandown
Craig Williams made it a great riding comeback with a four winners at Sandown Hillside after Hi Belle won the Listed Summoned Stakes (1500m) today.
Williams was returning from suspension which cost him the winning Melbourne Cup ride on Dunaden.
Earlier in the day he won aboard Maximus Moonard, Under The Eiffel and So Swift.
He then gave Hi Belle a perfect ride for trainer John Gunning.
The field was led by Sophie’s Spirit and Hinemoa who set a steady speed while Hi Belle settled fourth in the running line.
Sophie Spirit found more in the straight but Hi Belle gradually wore her down with no other horse making significant ground in the straight.
Hi Belle ($5) defeated Sophie’s Spirit ($4.80 fav) by three quarters with Hinemoa ($11) holding on for third, a further length and three quarters away third.
“This is my last day riding in Victoria this year,” Williams said.
“I will be riding in a couple of Group 1s in Perth before taking up a six weeks contract in Japan.
“In Perth, I ride Ortensia in the Winterbottom and Avienus in the Railway Stakes and Count Encosta in the Perth Cup.
In Japan, the classy hoop rides for big owner Teruya Yoshida.
“I will probably be back in Australia for the Magic Millions and then I will prepare for the summer and autumn,” he said
| Finish | No. | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Margin | Br | Weight | Starting Price |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | 3 | HI BELLE | John Gunning | Craig Williams | 3 | 56.5kg | $5 | |
| 2 | 2 | SOPHIE’S SPIRIT | Max Hinton | Nash Rawiller | 0.75L | 4 | 57.5kg | $4.80F |
| 3 | 4 | HINEMOA (NZ) | Michael Moroney | Ms Lisa Cropp | 2.5L | 7 | 56.5kg | $11 |
| 4 | 8 | MAQUINA | Robbie Laing | Brenton Avdulla | 2.7L | 9 | 54kg | $61 |
| 5 | 13 | YAVANNA | Anthony Freedman | Mark Zahra | 3.1L | 10 | 54kg | $6.50 |
| 6 | 10 | SUSSURO | Tony Noonan | Nicholas Hall | 3.5L | 11 | 54kg | $6 |
| 7 | 9 | MAYNEDA STRATEGY | Trent Pennuto | Jordan Mallyon (a) | 3.9L | 6 | 54kg | $19 |
| 8 | 11 | SENSATIONAL REPORT | Dianne Wynne | Ms Sally Wynne | 4.4L | 2 | 54kg | $31 |
| 9 | 7 | DASOUDI (NZ) | Darren Weir | Michael Walker | 4.9L | 5 | 54kg | $11 |
| 10 | 14 | BLUE EYED JANE | Mark Riley | Chris Symons | 16.9L | 8 | 54kg | $81 |
| 11 | 5 | MISS BINDI (NZ) | Colin & Cindy Alderson | Dwayne Dunn | 17L | 1 | 54kg | $9.50 |
| 1 | DIVORCES | Peter Snowden | Kerrin McEvoy | 0 | ||||
| 6 | LIMEROCK | Peter G Moody | Luke Nolen | 0 | ||||
| 12 | CROWN GEM (NZ) | Dave Enright | Dean Yendall | 0 | ||||
