Melbourne Cup-winning jockey Craig Williams hopes racing's version of a blind date will quickly evolve into a successful partnership as he eyes further glory in the race that stops a ration.
Williams, who won the 2019 Cup with Vow And Declare, jumped at the chance to link up with James J Braddock for Irish master trainer Joseph O'Brien this year.
But the veteran hoop hasn't yet ridden the four-year-old son of Zarak and won't sit on him until moments before the gates fly open at Flemington.
"Joseph said he's got it under control and it looks like I'll see him in the mounting yard on the first Tuesday in November," Williams said.
"That's not unusual for us these days. You fly into different parts of the world and ride horses for the first time. It's part and parcel of the job.
"It's pretty exciting that he's definitely a well-credentialled horse for this year's Melbourne Cup."
Named after the 1930s heavyweight boxer who inspired the film Cinderella Man, James J Braddock ($13) is one of a handful of runners O'Brien will have in the Cup field as he seeks to add to previous wins with Rekindling (2017) and Twilight Payment (2020).
Trustyourinstinct ($8) is second-favourite behind Ciaron Maher's Point Of Law ($6), with Defiantly ($11), Goodie Two Shoes ($26) and Sons And Lovers ($26) further back in the market.
While buoyed by James J Braddock's European form, Williams said co-owner Ozzie Kheir "bullied" him into committing to the ride last month.
"Everyone's got a list and he was right up the top of our short-list," Williams said.
"When I had a conversation with Ozzie I only had the next eight hours to make a decision, otherwise they will move and have to lock someone in.
"I spoke to my manager ... we decided to take the plunge and let's hope on the first Tuesday (of November) at 3.15pm that it's the right plunge to do.
"He's got over here, he's got the right form reference, and (now) it's how he turns up on race day and how he acquits himself and how good he is."
James J Braddock has been gelded since finishing third in the Group 1 Epsom Derby, when he got worked up in the preliminaries, and sixth in the Irish Derby.
He will carry 53.5kg in the Cup and co-owner Kevin Blake said the raider has been "absolutely bouncing" since arriving at Werribee's international horse centre from Ireland last week.
"He's a younger horse and we don't know if he'll stay the two miles, but we think he will," Blake said.
"He's performed well on what we call good to firm ground in Ireland, and it's going to be quick ground here.
"With the unknowns come the fact that he's unexposed and the possibility that he's well handicapped.
"He completely lost his mind before the (Epsom) Derby, unfortunately, and it's incredible that he ran so well considering.
"To do all that and to run so well in what was a particularly attritional Derby on really bad ground, I think, is a testament to his talent."
