CRAIG Williams may have found his Melbourne Cup ride after a thrilling win on Jaguar Mail in the Group 1 Tenno Sho in Japan.
The Melbourne premiership-winning jockey won one of Japan's top staying races, which could prove a significant pointer to the Cup.
Racing Victoria international scout Leigh Jordon and Victoria Racing Club chairman Rod Fitzroy were at Kyoto to watch Williams triumph and reported real interest from Japanese owners and trainers about competing in the 150th Melbourne Cup.
Jaguar Mail, trained by Noriyuki Hori, is raced by Katsumi Yoshida, who owned 2006 Cup quinella horses Delta Blues and Pop Rock.
Williams had Jaguar Mail poised just off the lead on the turn in the 3200m race. He gave chase at the top of the straight and took the lead about 50m out.
"I don't think you'd get Craig off it. He was very taken with the horse. It was a powerful win," Jordon said.
Jordon said connections of Jaguar Mail and runner-up Meiner Kitz were both keen to come for the Cup.
The sticking point is quarantine regulations. Jordon has inspected Japanese-approved quarantine facilities at Miho, Nakayama and Tokyo. Australian biosecurity officials must inspect and approve the facilities.
Trainers told Jordon they needed to know by the end of this month, if they were to go ahead with Cup plans.
Williams is truly an international jockey, having now ridden Group 1 winners in Europe, Hong Kong, Japan and Australia.
He also won the last race at Kyoto on Saturday and the event after the Tenno Sho.
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