Williams eyes Melbourne Cup success with horse he'll meet in the yard

In short:

Jockey Craig Williams will ride the Joseph O'Brien-trained James J Braddock in the Melbourne Cup.

Williams was the winning jockey in the 2019 Melbourne Cup with Vow and Declare.

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ABC Sport will have a live blog of Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday, November 3.

Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Craig Williams hopes racing's version of a blind date will quickly evolve into a successful partnership as he eyes further glory in the race that stops a nation.

Williams, who won the 2019 Cup with Vow And Declare, jumped at the chance to link up with James J Braddock for Irish master trainer Joseph O'Brien this year.

But the veteran hoop hasn't yet ridden the four-year-old son of Zarak and won't sit on him until moments before the gates fly open at Flemington.

"Joseph said he's got it under control and it looks like I'll see him in the mounting yard on the first Tuesday in November," Williams said.

"That's not unusual for us these days. You fly into different parts of the world and ride horses for the first time. It's part and parcel of the job.

"It's pretty exciting that he's definitely a well-credentialed horse for this year's Melbourne Cup."

Named after the 1930s heavyweight boxer who inspired the film Cinderella Man, James J Braddock is one of a handful of runners O'Brien will have in the Cup field as he seeks to add to previous wins with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020).

Trustyourinstinct, is second-favourite behind Ciaron Maher's Point Of Law.

While buoyed by James J Braddock's European form, Williams said co-owner Ozzie Kheir "bullied" him into committing to the ride last month.

"Everyone's got a list and he was right up the top of our short-list," Williams said.

"When I had a conversation with Ozzie I only had the next eight hours to make a decision, otherwise they will move and have to lock someone in.

"I spoke to my manager … we decided to take the plunge and let's hope on the first Tuesday (of November) at 3.15pm that it's the right plunge to do.

"He's got over here, he's got the right form reference, and (now) it's how he turns up on race day and how he acquits himself and how good he is."

James J Braddock has been gelded since finishing third in the Group 1 Epsom Derby, when he got worked up in the preliminaries, and sixth in the Irish Derby.

He will carry 53.5kg in the Cup and co-owner Kevin Blake said the raider has been "absolutely bouncing" since arriving at Werribee's international horse centre from Ireland last week.