Williams excited by next big thing
LLOYD Williams will unveil a potential spring features contender when regally bred Midterm contests the listed $ 150,000 Golden Mile at Bendigo.
By super sire Galileo out of six- time Group 1- winning mare Midday, lightly raced Midterm is already a Group 3 winner in England.
Owner of a record six Melbourne Cup winners, Williams races the import in partnership with Gerry Ryan, who will also be represented in the Golden Mile by talented young stayer Kiwia, the TAB $ 5.50 favourite.
Williams believes Midterm is among the bestbred horses he has secured – and hopes his pedigree will translate at the highest levels of Australian racing.
Midday won nine of 23 starts, with an unmatched three triumphs in the Group 1 Nassau Stakes, Breeders Cup, Prix Vermeille and Yorkshire Oaks.
Owned by Juddmonte Farms, Midday was the first mare served by unbeaten Frankel. The offspring, Mori, has already won twice, once in Listed company.
Williams said Midterm would not continue this preparation beyond the Golden Mile and would be set for 2000- 2400m races.
Midterm has had only 11 starts for three wins from 1600- 2000m.
He hasn’t started since finishing fourth at Group 3 level at Ascot in October but was scratched from the Easter Cup last week to wait for the Golden Mile.
He continued to firm yesterday with TAB, shortening from 8.50 to $ 7.
Williams is chasing his third Golden Mile in four years, after Observational in 2015 and Nevis in ‘ 16.
Midterm is one of two runners at Bendigo for trainer Liam Howley.
Mornington Cup runnerup Harrison runs in the Macedon Lodge Handicap ( 2400m), where is he is a warm $ 2.80 favourite.