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Williams heads to Sydney to ride Miss Finland's grandson on debut
Craig Williams is going to extreme lengths to maintain an association with a family that is close to his heart, flying up to Sydney to ride Duvana at Wednesday's Randwick meeting on the Kensington track.
The son of Dundeel is out of Thousand Guineas winner Stay With Me, who is a daughter of Miss Finland.
That daughter of Redoute's Choice is the best filly Williams has ridden in his decorated career, having partnered her to victory in the Golden Slipper and VRC Oaks, along with three other Group 1 events.
Duvana, who is trained by Chris Waller, cost Kia Ora Stud and TFI $800,000 at last year's Inglis Easter Yearling Sale.
He will become the third to race from Stay With Me, a daughter of Street Cry whose best product to date is Waltz On By, a daughter of I Am Invincible who is a two-time Listed winner who finished third in last year's Group 2 Queen Of The South Stakes in Adelaide.
Duvana's preparations for her debut have included three trials, one last year and two in the past three weeks including a five-length fourth placing to Shangri La Express on February 5.
He is one of a number of high-priced yearlings engaged in Wednesday's second event with Duvana's stablemate President, a colt by I Am Invincible out of Group 3 winner Serene Majesty the most expensive at $950,000.
Growing Empire, a son of Zoustar who is a half-brother to six-time winner Dancing Alone, cost $700,000, North Star Lass's three-quarter-sister Chateau Miraval was a $600,000 buy and Dubious colt Deputize cost $500,000.
Duvana is one of four rides aboard Waller-trained runners at Randwick for Williams, who will also partner Overview in Race 4, Unstopabull in Race 6 and For Victory in Race 7.