WILLIAMS ON CUP MISSION

Champion jockey Craig Williams will ride Melbourne Cup second favourite Spanish Mission.

Williams on Tuesday confirmed the commitment following a conversation with trainer Andrew Balding.

“I was always quite nervous taking a horse with 57kg in the race … (but) it looks to be one of those years it might not be the biggest disadvantage,” Williams said.

“He’s always proven that he’s a very good traveller, travelled with success to Saudi Arabia and Dubai … and he does like fast ground for a European horse.”

Balding-trained Spanish Mission is due to land in Melbourne on Saturday after two weeks’ quarantine at Newmarket.

Spanish Mission will be cared for by Tony Noonan at Mornington after his quarantine. Williams expects to ride the stayer in work at Werribee.

Spanish Mission surged into Cup calculations after a battle with Stradivarius over the final 400m of the Group 2 Lonsdale Cup (3270m) at York.