Superstar jockey Craig Williams rides Bella Nipotina to victory in The Everest
Superstar jockey Craig Williams has won his second Everest after piloting Bella Nipotina to an extraordinary victory in the $20m Group 1 feature at Randwick.
Bella Nipotina was caught three wide at the turn, but surged clear at the home stretch to hold off 2022 champion Giga Kick in a remarkable finish.
Growing Empire finished third, while Lady Of Camelot completed the first four.
Bella Nipotina started at $7.35 on the NSW tote, and earned connections $7 million with the victory.
Godolphin colt Traffic Warden was a late scratching after becoming fractious in the starting gates.
“I’m not sure we’ve had a better Everest than this,” legendary commentator Bruce McAvaney said.
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It capped a wild three years for Williams in The Everest after winning on board Giga Kick in 2022.
Williams was quick to pay tribute to trainer Ciaron Maher after the race.
“It’s amazing, it’s very very special,” he told Channel 7.
“Again, I can’t do it without the performance of Bella. We drew 12. We were hoping for more rain but the track was to her liking and Ciaron Maher said let’s trust her. We might be wide, let’s not be negative, let’s be positive.
“Going to the gate today, I said to Ciaron I said she was moving well. And before I gave her a pat and a cuddle, she was ready to go.
“Ciaron Maher is a phenomenal trainer with so many different arms that help this process go along.”
More to come …
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