Craig Williams, the sole jockey to achieve Australian racing’s ‘Super Slam’—encompassing the Melbourne Cup, Caulfield Cup, Cox Plate, Golden Slipper, and The Everest—has triumphed in races far grander than the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes.
However, the esteemed jockey has consistently held the 1400-metre handicap, scheduled for Caulfield this Saturday, in high regard.
His father, Allan, secured victory in the race, then known as the Marlboro Cup, aboard Private Talk in 1979, and later trained Black Rogue to win the VicHealth Cup in 1993.
This familial connection made Williams’ maiden win in the race aboard Barely A Moment in 2005 particularly meaningful.
“Every race we win is special, but because there is some family history through this race, a bit of lineage, then it is really quite special,” Williams reflected.
“Dad won it as a jockey then he trained the winner, Black Rouge, and I was a young kid at the time, dreaming of being a jockey, and I remember being part of that process.
“I’m only where I am now because of my upbringing and the people support me, so it is special.”
With eight victories in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, the 49-year-old jockey is poised to match an Australian Group 1 record aboard Lady Shenandoah this weekend.
The only jockey to have achieved more wins in a single Group 1 race is George Moore, with nine victories in the George Main Stakes, now the King Charles III Stakes.
Williams is aiming for a third consecutive win in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes, following his successes aboard Kimochi in 2024 and Sepals last year.
This marks the third time Williams has secured back-to-back wins in the event. His first consecutive victories were with Rewaaya, followed by Response and Toorak Toff in 2010/11.
His other triumphs include Stratum Star in 2015 and Behemoth in 2020.
Behemoth carried a metric weight-carrying record of 60kg to victory, while Rewaaya won with 51kg. Williams himself managed 52kg last year, acknowledging that his ability to ride light weights provides more opportunities in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes than for many others.
“It gives me a great opportunity every year to try and find the right horse,” Williams stated.
“But you still need the right horse, the right-handicapped horse.
“I’ve drawn great barriers, bad barriers, and I’ve been lucky enough, with my manager, that those opportunities have made us be very successful in the race.”
Lady Shenandoah, starting from the inside barrier, the same position Rewaaya won from, carries 56kg for trainer Chris Waller. Williams believes this weight is advantageous for the five-year-old mare, given her status as a three-time Group 1 winner.
The daughter of Snitzel has not won since her last elite victory, the Coolmore Classic (1500m) in March last year, but enters the Caulfield race following a commendable fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Winx Stakes (1400m), won by the champion mare Autumn Glow.
“Her run first-up was excellent and she’s very well off in the handicap I would say with 56 kilos, only four kilos off the minimum, being a three-time Group 1 winner,” Williams commented.
“She’s the right sort of horse to be winning this year’s Sir Rupert Clarke.”
The Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is one of two $1 million Group 1 races at Caulfield on Saturday, sharing the spotlight with the weight-for-age Underwood Stakes (1800m), a race Williams won last year with Sir Delius.
He will not participate in this year’s Underwood Stakes, preventing a third consecutive win, and dislikes missing any Group 1 race from the sidelines.
Williams has accumulated 90 Group 1 victories across six countries, and many, including his doctor, are eager for him to reach the century mark.
“Dr David Young, who puts me back together when I get smashed up, he says, ‘I’ve got you back together because I want you to get those 100 Group 1s’,” Williams shared.
“He’s a big driving force and that is one of our goals, to get to 100 Group 1s.
“Then we’ll reassess and make another goal later on.”
Lady Shenandoah is the favourite to bring Williams closer to his century, listed at $4.80, with Regal Award ($7), Angel Capital ($7.50), and Evaporate ($8) also prominent in the betting markets.
Betting on the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes is available now at leading Australian betting sites, offering competitive racing odds.
