It didn’t take Craig Williams long to get back in the winner’s circle after another successful riding stint in Japan.

He is now a much travelled international jockey, riding in both hemispheres with success, achieved with hard work and getting off his backside and not waiting about for it to happen.

Yesterday he was seen at his best on the front running Hard Stride, winning the Winslow Group Regal Roller Stakes at Caulfield.

While the gelding had won just the two races from 17 starts, with stake earnings of $322,000, much of that amount attributed to placings, he had finished second four times between both of his Caulfield wins.

There is no intention of Hard Stride being allowed to rest on his laurels, he continues to work well and is racing consistently, and when he is turned out for spell he wants to come back into the stable.

The favourite, Thiamandi, didn’t receive the favours she had when winning the Bletchingly, this time she was locked away on the rails, and when the run was presented, the bird, in the form of Hard Stride, had flown.

Moment of Change ran a sound race under the circumstances; he had to give the winner eight kgs

Hard Stride ridden by Craig Williams.