TRAINER Grant Williams' time in Bendigo might be coming to an end, but the excitement is just getting started.
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The Western Australian will saddle up one of the favorites, Arcadia Queen, in Saturday's $5m Group 1 W.S. Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
For a trainer with nine Group 1 wins already alongside his name it's a massive thrill.
Arcadia Queen, a dual-Group 1 winner, is Williams and powerhouse Western Australian owner and breeder Bob Peters' first runner in Australasia's premier weight-for-age race.
Williams, who has based himself and his team of horses at Brent Stanley's Cloud 9 Thoroughbreds property at Sutton Grange since early July, said it's a special moment for both of them.
"I know for Bob, its something he's always had on his bucket list, so it's really exciting to have one in it, than whatever happens after that, let's just hope someone's looking down on us and can give us a bit of hand," he said.
Williams said the mare had continued to thrive following her last start victory over the Cox Plate favourite Russian Camelot in the Group 1 Caulfield Stakes (2000m).
"I'm pretty happy with where she's at - she came through the last run pretty good," he said.
"We're in a pretty good spot. I don't know if we need too much rain, but a little bit won't hurt.
"Everybody's happy. The jock's happy, I'm happy."
The 'happy' jockey is none other than the in-form William Pike, also a temporary, but welcome Bendigo resident for the past few months.
Not one to ever be over-confident, Williams, who trains Arcadia Queen in partnership with his wife Alana, was as sure as could be the mare was approaching her peak following four runs in Melbourne, which have included placings in the Group 2 Let's Elope Stakes won by Pretty Brazen and Group 1 Underwood Stakes behind Russian Camelot.
"She was actually supposed to have had five, but I had to scratch her the morning of the first Group 1. She came out of the box a bit sore," he said.
"We've had a few little issues with her feet along the way, but touch wood, everything has come good at the right time."
With plenty of controversy surrounding the make-up of the field for the great race earlier this week, Williams was pleased to have averted the fallout.
Not that he is one to buy in to those sort of debates.
"I don't generally worry too much about the other horses, it's not really for us to worry about," Williams said.
"Everyone worries about their own horse. We won last start and that took us right of the discussion about whether we should be in the race or not.
"It's been easy for us, we knew we would get a start. The other talk never bothers me, that's for others to argue about."
Williams said the past four months had been a real learning experience, but hinted he'd only be too happy to be offered a reservation at Sutton Grange again this time next year.
"I'd definitely do it again - it's what we do - and I'd love to bring a team over here in the autumn and spring. But it has been testing at times," he said.
"I have a daughter and a wife at home, so it's obviously been hard on them, but we've done this for a reason.
"No one wanted the COVID thing, so we've all had to suck it up a little bit, but it's definitely been a great experience.
"It's been the same for Willy Pike, he has a couple of daughters at home he misses. But he's a very good team man, Willy, he's dedicated to what we are here for."
Reflecting on his long stay, Williams said his success in Melbourne with the likes of Arcadia Queen, and Windstorm (two wins) and Superstorm, who will both head to next weekend's Golden Eagle in Sydney, would not have been possible without being embraced by those in Bendigo, particularly those at Cloud 9 Thoroughbreds.
"I have my Victorian family here in Brent and Paris (Stanley) and they have just been absolutely unbelievable, and their kids are just wonderful, as well as all the staff," he said.
"It's just made things so much easier - it's been a real home away from home for me.
"Brent's staff have been unbelievable; anytime you need something they can't do it quick enough, which has made everything so easy."
Just as crucial has been the support from elsewhere in the community.
"We have a few beers at the One Tree Hill and Glenn (Baldock) and all the people down there cheer you on - it's a bit of a family down there too," Williams said.
"The locals have started following the horses and are always asking when the next one's running. I'm from the country back home, so I love that sort of stuff.
"There's been a few other places that have been integral to where we are at the moment.
"Obviously the water-walker here in Bendigo (Duggans Hydrotherapy and Rehabilitation) and Anne Maree Curran have been great for us. They've always opened for us when I've needed it.
"Across the road there at the Bendigo Jockey Club, they've been unbelievable. They've let me gallop on the course proper, which is probably one of the reasons Arcadia Queen has turned around.
"And my farrier over here, Danny Wills, the work he's done with her is incredible. The vet looked at her a month after we got here and said good luck.
"I can't actually thank him enough, he's been an absolute marvel."
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