Back to listed grade has Williams ride ready for action.
Craig Williams will team up with Group 1 winning trainer Phillip Stokes with Athanatos in the Listed Kirin Ichiban Plate (1800m) in a race that the four-year-old gelding will appreciate a somewhat significant drop in grade.
Athanatos finished fourth last start in the Group 1 Toorak Handicap (1600m) finishing less that two-lengths from the winter Transatlantic.
The son of third season sire I Am Immortal has been a winner on soft tracks and was successful back in March at Flemington over 1600-metres and Stokes believes the trip and company should suit.
"He has come on really well since that Caulfield rum," Stokes said.
"He's going to really appreciate the step back from group one company."
Stokes also saddles Bold Secret in The Schweppervesence Plate (1000m) with Williams also aboard, and the three-year-old is ready to make amends for the last start finish outside of the placings at Moonee Valley at his second outing.
"It was a total forget run there last time," Stokes said.
"He was wide, on the wrong leg, and starstruck.
"He had a gallop at Flemington since then and he'll but suited here. This race should be a lot be a lot better."
Stokes' record at Flemington stands at a 9% win rate in 444 starters with his place strike-rate at 27.7%.
