Williams keen on Finland bid

Australian jockey Craig Williams is relishing the chance to renew his partnership with five-time Group One winner Miss Finland in Saturday’s Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.

Last seen winning a competitive Memsie Stakes at the beginning of the month, the three-year-old filly has the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup among other potential targets.

“The owners were discussing where they’d like to go with her and she was unlucky last year in the Cox Plate. That’s her main target but she could back up again in the Melbourne Cup,” Williams explained.

“She’s classy and has won Group Ones between six furlongs and one mile, four and a half furlongs. She’s always been imposing but now she’s solid and has come back bigger and stronger than ever.

“I’m sitting on Miss Finland tomorrow and we’ll just make sure she’s not revving too hard.

“She has been to a racetrack to gallop between races and she galloped brilliantly. I hope people watch her as she is something.”

Looking ahead to the Melbourne Cup, for which Miss Finland is available at 14-1 with Boylesports, Williams added: “I’m really happy with the way Miss Finland is going.

“But if I had to look elsewhere, I’d be looking in my own back yard at a grey horse called Efficient (winner of the Victoria Derby in 2006).”