‘I went wow': Craig Williams' emotional bond with country star Far Too Easy
The riding legend is about to set up shop riding in the Sunshine State for large parts of the Queensland winter carnival and he kicks off by riding David McColm's star Far Too Easy in the Group 2 Victory Stakes at Eagle Farm on Saturday.
• PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW!
Far Too Easy is the horse from northern NSW who has survived raging floodwaters and deadly infections and Williams only knew part of the gelding's remarkable backstory before winning The Kosciuszko at Randwick last October.
Now, Williams fully appreciates all the emotion and can't wait to link with Far Too Easy on Saturday, with McColm's wonder horse a $6 equal favourite in the Victory as he kicks off a Stradbroke Handicap campaign.
• Sky reveals major shake-up to race calling ranks
'The Kosciuszko trophy takes pride of place in my trophy cabinet at home,' Williams told Racenet.
'And that's because I heard David interviewed after the race and I spent time with him and his family.
'I got a really good understanding of what this horse means to them.
'There is a lot of backstory to this horse.
'I had a connection with the horse but I didn't understand it all to start with.
'But then, after listening to the interview, I went 'wow'.
Williams has seven rides at Eagle Farm on Saturday and said he loves riding in the Queensland winter, where he often makes a semi-permanent home during the carnival.
Queensland has been a happy hunting ground for the Victorian jockey and he has ridden five Group 1 winners in the Sunshine State.
They include scoring consecutive Doomben 10,000s after winning the last two years on Bella Nipotina and Giga Kick.
• Comeback of the year? Heathcote will never write off Rothfire
Far Too Easy is on a Stradbroke Handicap path and Williams says the horse can give the Queensland's most prestigious race a mighty shake.
'On his best form, he is absolutely a great chance in the Stradbroke,' Williams said.
'To sit on his back and ride him, he is such a gentleman and he can produce some phenomenal performances.
'He is a good horse and David is a great horseman.
'I love coming to Queensland and I enjoy the Brisbane carnival to its fullest.'
Trainer David McColm and jockey Craig Williams after winning The Kosciuszko. Picture: Getty Images
• 'Got to aim high': Flying filly has Stradbroke in sights
Meanwhile, Williams will make his first trip to the central Queensland beef capital of Rockhampton when he partners Tony Gollan galloper Comrade Rosa in the $1m The Archer slot race on Sunday.
Comrade Rosa is an $11 chance after drawing barrier 12.
Williams has sought advice from his great mate, recently retired jockey Michael Cahill, about riding on the Rockhampton track.
'I have never been to Rockhampton before, so I am looking forward to it,' Williams said.
'Michael Cahill has told me racetrack in Rockhampton is great and there's a big, long straight.
'He told me I would enjoy my time up there.'
Originally published as Queensland winter carnival: Craig Williams' emotional bond with winter carnival prospect Far Too Easy
Hashtags
Try Our AI Features
Explore what Daily8 AI can do for you:
Comments
No comments yet...
Related Articles
Herald Sun
3 hours ago
- Herald Sun
Daniel Sankey's Sale horse racing tips: Thursday, July 2, 2025
Don't miss out on the headlines from Opinion. Followed categories will be added to My News. Form analyst Daniel Sankey presents his best bets, value selection, lay of the day and jockey to follow for Thursday's nine-race card at Sale. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ BEST BET PRIVATE JUMBO (Race 7 No.1 – $3.50): Did a good job first-up from a seven-month spell when fifth behind Silver Cliff at Sandown on June 18. Drops in class today, gets weight off with Emily Pozman's claim and second-up record (4:1-1-0) reads well. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ NEXT BEST HOUSE OF LORDS (Race 6 No.14 – $6): Won maiden at this track in good style on June 12 and this isn't a deep Benchmark 64. The booking of Jye McNeil is a strong pointer. Can go on with the job up to the mile. TISHMAN (Race 5 No.4 – $2.70): Impressive winner over this course and distance last time out and no reason why he can't make it two on the trot. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ VALUE BET TRANSACTIONS (Race 9 No.9 – $9.50): Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained gelding who was unlucky not to win at Pakenham and Geelong before having little luck at Mornington. Can give this a shake. ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ JOCKEY TO FOLLOW – THOMAS STOCKDALE The rising star has a busy day at Sale on Thursday with nine rides. FULLY JUSTIFIED (Race 1 No.3 – $41), TILL DUSK (Race 2 No.12 – $18), SMOTHER (Race 3 No.3 – $7), FILADEEL (Race 4 No.7 – $3.20), TISHMAN (Race 5 No.4 – $2.70), CALEANA (Race 6 No.7 – $15), BURJ EMPEROR (Race 7 No.4 – $9), FRIDGE MONSTER (Race 8 No.9 – $4.50), TRANSACTIONS (Race 9 No.9 – $9.50). ■ ■ ■ ■ ■ LAY OF THE DAY ROTATING SOUL (Race 4 No.9 – $1.55): Yet to break through in nine starts and being drawn the fence on a rain-affected track may not be ideal … even against a very moderate lot. Happy to risk at the $1.55 quote. Originally published as Daniel Sankey's best bets, value pick and lay of the day for Sale on Thursday
News.com.au
4 hours ago
- News.com.au
Daniel Sankey's best bets, value pick and lay of the day for Sale on Thursday
Form analyst Daniel Sankey presents his best bets, value selection, lay of the day and jockey to follow for Thursday's nine-race card at Sale. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! â– â– â– â– â– BEST BET PRIVATE JUMBO (Race 7 No.1 – $3.50): Did a good job first-up from a seven-month spell when fifth behind Silver Cliff at Sandown on June 18. Drops in class today, gets weight off with Emily Pozman's claim and second-up record (4:1-1-0) reads well. â– â– â– â– â– NEXT BEST HOUSE OF LORDS (Race 6 No.14 – $6): Won maiden at this track in good style on June 12 and this isn't a deep Benchmark 64. The booking of Jye McNeil is a strong pointer. Can go on with the job up to the mile. TISHMAN (Race 5 No.4 – $2.70): Impressive winner over this course and distance last time out and no reason why he can't make it two on the trot. â– â– â– â– â– VALUE BET TRANSACTIONS (Race 9 No.9 – $9.50): Anthony and Sam Freedman-trained gelding who was unlucky not to win at Pakenham and Geelong before having little luck at Mornington. Can give this a shake. â– â– â– â– â– JOCKEY TO FOLLOW – THOMAS STOCKDALE The rising star has a busy day at Sale on Thursday with nine rides. FULLY JUSTIFIED (Race 1 No.3 – $41), TILL DUSK (Race 2 No.12 – $18), SMOTHER (Race 3 No.3 – $7), FILADEEL (Race 4 No.7 – $3.20), TISHMAN (Race 5 No.4 – $2.70), CALEANA (Race 6 No.7 – $15), BURJ EMPEROR (Race 7 No.4 – $9), FRIDGE MONSTER (Race 8 No.9 – $4.50), TRANSACTIONS (Race 9 No.9 – $9.50). â– â– â– â– â–
Courier-Mail
7 hours ago
- Courier-Mail
2024-25 Champion Australian Racehorse awards nominees
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News. The Horse of the Year award is a lock but try selecting the champion two-year-old or the best three-year-old filly. The three-year-old male award is up for grabs, the title of best sprinter isn't cut and dried, and neither is the stayer category for that matter. Unlike most years when these awards are reasonably predictable, most of the 2025 Champion Australian Racehorse award categories are wide open with the obvious exception of Horse of the Year which the Chris Waller-trained Via Sistina will win by about as far as her spectacular eight lengths Cox Plate romp last spring. The two-year-old award is one of the tightest as there was a different winner of each of the five Group 1 juvenile races this season including Marhoona and Devil Night who both scored their only stakes win in the Golden Slipper and Blue Diamond respectively. • PUNT LIKE A PRO: Become a Racenet iQ member and get expert tips – with fully transparent return on investment statistics – from Racenet's team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section. SUBSCRIBE NOW! Nepotism won the Group 1 Champagne Stakes and Group 3 Baillieu Handicap while Vinrock was unbeaten in three starts and became first horse since Full On Aces (1981) to win the Group 2 VRC Sires Produce Stakes and Group 1 ATC Sires Produce Stakes double. Cool Archie made a late season surge with five consecutive wins including the Listed Dalrello Stakes, Group 2 Champagne Classic, Group 2 BRC Sires Produce Stakes and Group 1 JJ Atkins. Even Tempted — who won twice at Group 2 level and was luckless in the Blue Diamond (seventh) and Golden Slipper (third) – O' Ole (Magic Millions) and Within The Law will have some support. The three-year-old filly division is also very contentious. Treasurethe Moment won eight races in succession including the VRC Oaks-ATC Australian Oaks double and Vinery Stud Stakes at Group 1 level but how does that compare to Lady Shenandoah's unbeaten season of five wins featuring Group 1 successes in the Flight Stakes and Surround Stakes and her defeat of older mares in the Coolmore Classic? The contenders for the major gongs in the 2025 Champion Austraian Racehorse awards. Picture: Winx wins the 2025 Queen Elizabeth Stakes. Aeliana's outstanding ATC Australian Derby win by more than five lengths puts her into the conversation, Autumn Glow is unbeaten after four starts with three at stakes level, and Lady Of Camelot might have been winless this season but she was placed four times at Group 1 level and ran fourth in The Everest. Broadsiding (Golden Rose, Rosehill Guineas) was the only multiple Group 1 winner in the three-year-old male division but unbeaten Private Harry (The Galaxy), Linebacker (Randwick Guineas, defeating Broadsiding), Switzerland (Coolmore Stud Stakes), Private Life (Caulfield Guineas) and Maison Louis (Queensland Derby) will collate votes. It's anyone's guess for Champion Sprinter. Did Bella Nipotina do enough winning The Everest (and Russell Balding Stakes) to edge out dual Group 1 winners Joliestar (Newmarket Handicap, Kingsford Smith Cup) and Jimmysstar (Oakleigh Plate, All Aged Stakes), or Briasa (TJ Smith Stakes), Overpass (Winterbottom Stakes) and Schwarz (William Reid Stakes)? • Richard Callander: Forget wagering – this is racing's biggest battle Champion Stayer often goes to the Melbourne Cup winner but this was Knight's Choice's only win of the season which brings the likes of Duke De Sessa (Caulfield Cup), Dubai Honour (Tancred Stakes), Arapaho (Sydney Cup, Sandown Classic), Campaldino (Brisbane Cup), Alalcance (Manion Cup, Chairman's Quality), Land Legend (The Metropolitan) and Zardozi into the mix. But champion mare Via Sistina was the standout of 2024-25, winning seven of her nine starts, all at Group 1 level to equal the record for most majors in a season set by all-time great Winx in 2018-19. • Via Sistina is back … and she'll again blaze her record-breaking trail Via Sistina also won the Winx Stakes, Turnbull Stakes, Champions Stakes, Verry Elleegant Stakes, Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes over distances ranging from 1400m to 2000m so she will also claim the Middle Distance award, too. With Via Sistina certain to win Horse of the Year, it will be the eighth time in 10 years a Waller-trained galloper has won the coveted title. Waller also prepared the only four-time Horse of the Year winner, Winx (2015-16, 2016-17, 2017-18, 2018-19), as well as Nature Strip (2019-20, 2021-22), and Verry Elleegant (2020-2021). Selected racing officials and media start voting on the awards this week with the winners announced at a special Hall of Fame-Horse of the Year function in Brisbane on August 31. Originally published as 2024-25 Champion Australian Racehorse awards: Via Sistina's a special but other categories wide open
