From Cup favourite to fish and salad for Craig Williams

Ben Dorries - Tuesday October 17

Craig Williams woke up on Tuesday planning to ride the Caulfield Cup favourite but will now be dining on a strict fish and salad diet to make the weight on Amelie's Star.

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Craig Williams will be on a fish and salad diet to make the Caulfield Cup weight on Amelie's Star Photo: Darryl Sherer

The champion jockey who has twice before won the Caulfield Cup displaced up-and-coming rider Michael Dee on Amelie's Star after Williams' original mount Admire Deus broke down.

With Darren Weir mare Amelie's Star to carry 51kg in Saturday's Caulfield Cup, Williams' plans for the week ahead changed dramatically.

Williams says he will be dieting to make the weight on Amelie's Star and he insisted Dee would become a Group I winning rider in the future.

"I wasn't expecting to ride 51kg – before I left to come to barrier draw my wife said to me what's for dinner?" Williams said.

"I said 'you know the answer' – salad and fish.

"As for Michael Dee, it is definitely disappointing for him.

"I have been in that position and I guess we have all been in that position.

"With his form and his calibre, he will be winning Group I races soon enough."

Irish raider Johannes Vermeer tightened his grip on Caulfield Cup favouritism after drawing barrier two – firming from $5.50 to $4.60 with bookmakers.

Humidor stayed firm in betting as second favourite ($6) after drawing barrier seven, while Amelie's Star drifted slightly to $8.50 after coming up with barrier 13.

Weir admitted the draw was far from ideal for Amelie's Star.

"It is a little bit sticky for her, we would have liked to draw much further inside with her," Weir said.

"But she will certainly be in the first half of the field and doing her best."

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