Champion jockey Craig Williams will chase a third consecutive victory in the AU$1.5 million (approx. HK$7.33 million) G1 Doomben 10000 (1200m) at Doomben Racecourse in Brisbane, Australia on Saturday (17 May) after replacing Blake Shinn on Schwarz.

Having his last start before being retired to stud, Schwarz will attempt to emulate the feats of Giga Kick (2023) and Bella Nipotina (2024), who both won the feature under Williams.

Winner of the 2025 BMW Hong Kong Derby (2000m) on Cap Ferrat for Francis Lui in March at Sha Tin, Williams will have his first ride on Schwarz after Shinn was suspended.

Trained by John O'Shea & Tom Charlton, Schwarz will jump from barrier 9 as he attempts to add the Doomben 10000 to the G1 William Reid Stakes (1200m) he won at Moonee Valley on 22 March.

The four-year-old faces 14 rivals on Saturday, including Sunshine In Paris, who will be ridden by James McDonald, who won on the mare in the G1 VRC Champions Sprint (1200m) at Flemington on 9 November.

Trained by Annabel & Rob Archibald, Sunshine In Paris has been freshened since finishing third to Jimmysstar in the G1 All Aged Stakes (1400m) at Randwick on 19 April.

"Sunshine In Paris is great,'' Archibald said. "James galloped her last week and was very happy with the mare."

The Archibalds are also represented by Lady Laguna (Mark Zahra) and Libertad (Jamie Mott).

Jamie Melham will partner Benedetta for Jason Warren as the pair attempts to avenge William Reid Stakes defeat at the hands of Schwarz.

"He (Schwarz) had the track in his favour at Moonee Valley (in the William Reid Stakes), it was a terrible track that day," Warren said. "Hopefully, he's not getting that advantage this week.

"We're going there (Doomben) with fresh legs, which will definitely help," Warren said. "She's in great form and she hasn't had an overly taxing preparation so far."

Benedetta finished fifth last start in the All Aged Stakes last month, earning Warren's praise.

"We didn't think we could beat Jimmysstar but in saying that I thought her (Benedetta) run was enormous."

Seven-year-old veteran Rothfire returns to Group 1 level for the first time since finishing fifth in the 2023 G1 Moir Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley as he prepares for only the 34th start in a career repeatedly interrupted by injury.

"In all fairness, I will know when he's ready to retire," Heathcote said. "When he gives me the slightest sign that he no longer enjoys training, he no longer enjoys what he does, then I'll know."

Rothfire's only previous Doomben 10000 appearance came in 2022 when he finished fifth in the edition won by Mazu.

Leg injuries kept him out of the 2021 and 2024 Queensland carnivals, but Rothfire has had four runs this time in, the most recent a fourth in the G2 Victory Stakes (1200m) on 3 May.

"Two horses smashed him in the lead, he fought them off and he was still there with 100m to go," Heathcote said.  "Under different circumstances, I think he can still win a big one."