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By Ray Hickson

There’ll be no messing with a proven formula when it comes to talented colt Williamsburg but co-trainer Sterling Alexiou is looking forward to seeing how he makes use of a favourable draw for his grand final at Royal Randwick on Saturday.

Trainer Sterling Alexiou (Pic: Grant Guy)

Williamsburg has been dictated to by the fall of the marble at his past three starts and Alexiou, who co-trains with Gerald Ryan, said for once the cards have dropped to his advantage.

The colt showed he was on target for the Group 1 $2m Moet & Chandon Spring Champion Stakes (2000m) with an eye-catching third in the Gloaming Stakes just over a week ago.

“He’s jumped on terms at his last three starts and he’s gone back just because of where he’s drawn and how we wanted to ride him going toward these races,’’ he said.

“We elected to take him back and let the race unfold.

“I wouldn’t be surprised to see him settle up much handier than he has been but in saying that we don’t want to ride him too upside down just to use the barrier.”

As a two-year-old, Williamsburg showed that he would be a horse that would continue to improve and also gave a glimpse of his class with a third in the Group 1 Champagne Stakes in April.

Alexiou said that improvement has been on display this spring particularly at his past two starts which realised a win in the Dulcify (1600m) and a close third in the Gloaming also over a mile on a heavy track.

His last 600m of 36.02 (Punter's Intelligence) in that race at Warwick Farm was over two lengths faster than anything else.

“He was a two-year-old that was probably looking for a mile and it’s hard to find races for them, they were probably a bit too brilliant for him,’’ he said.

“He wasn’t quite up to the A-graders at a mile but we’re getting into A-grade stuff over 2000m on Saturday.

“He was probably looking for that little bit further the other day but he ran quite credibly.

“Obviously it’s been his target race all preparation and he is going there in really good form. The 2000m doesn’t look a worry and the barrier draw might mean he can settle a bit closer and hopefully he can get some luck in the run.”

Williamsburg was $5 with TAB on Thursday in the Spring Champion.

A Derby preparation in the autumn is likely for the colt and he’d take the traditional path through the Randwick and Rosehill Guineas.

“His racing manners would suggest the trip wouldn’t be a worry. You don’t know until you go there,’’ Alexiou said.

The seven day back-up isn’t expected to trouble A Lot More Love in the Group 2 $1m TAB Callander-Presnell (1600m) though Alexiou is wary it’ll be a class rise on what she met last week.

The filly was an impressive winner of the Listed Reginald Allen (1400m) against the fillies and the stable saw no reason not to give her the chance at a million dollar race.

Williamsburg runs third in the Gloaming Stakes

“Just on pure figures she is going to have to step it up again,’’ Alexiou said.

“But you can’t do anything but win and if she takes another step, and there’s a good chance she may, I don’t think she will be far from them.”

Brenton Avdulla again rides A Lot More Love, $8 with TAB behind short priced favourite Golden Mile, and Alexiou said the back up could work to her advantage.

“She’s a filly in good form who handles wet tracks. A few are going to be suspect at a mile on a wet track and she’s not going to be one of them,’’ he said.

A decision on whether stablemate Brosnan contests the Callander-Presnell will likely be reserved for race morning as he’s a horse that won’t be at his best on a heavy track.

All the fields, form and replays for Saturday's Randwick meeting