Craig Williams will get to have his first sit on Crystal Pegasus when he partners the stayer in the Mornington Cup.
While he is yet to ride the Chris Waller-trained import, he gets the feeling from what he has seen of the gelding that he may have a bright future.
“What I’ve seen of his backside in his Melbourne appearances he looks an exciting staying prospect going forward,” Williams said.
Crystal Pegasus will be shooting for three straight Melbourne wins this campaign and a ballot exemption into the Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) in October when he lines up in Saturday’s Listed Mornington Cup (2400m).
The winner is afforded a ‘free ticket’ into the Caulfield Cup if successful on Saturday.
But Williams said it will not be an easy assignment for Crystal Pegasus, especially as the gelding will be having his first start at Mornington.
But having been successful in the UK before making his way to Australia, Williams believes he may well handle the track.
“Mornington is a tricky track and that is one thing, unless they are trained there or have raced there before, you can have a question mark on them,” Williams said.
“It is always a question mark for me as the track is quite unique, but being a European horse, maybe he will handy the quirky track.
“He’s won at Bath which is a tricky undulating track and he’s placed at Ascot, so being European, that may help him handle Mornington at his first try.”
After scoring at Rosehill in January, Crystal Pegasus came to Melbourne to win over 2000m on February 19 then he took out the Listed Roy Higgins Quality (2600m) at Flemington on March 5.
Crystal Pegasus is vying for favouritism in the Mornington Cup with TAB, currently quoted a $2.70 chance behind last week’s Flemington winner Pondus at $2.60.