Craig Williams will miss next Saturday’s Randwick Guineas after he was suspended for eight meetings on a careless riding charge.
Williams was suspended for his ride on The Spitfire in the VRC Sires Produce Stakes for causing interference to Hawking, ridden by Damien Oliver, near the 200 metres.
He said he had a couple of options in the Randwick Guineas as well as other rides on the support card to the Group 1 meeting.
Williams will start his suspension after he fulfills his commitments in Monday’s Adelaide Cup meeting. He rides the Tony McEvoy-Big Memory, the pre-post favorite for the $400,000 Group 2 race.
During a spirited defence, Williams described the incident as “not careless, but competitive riding”.
Williams also asked stewards for consistency as he drew a comparison to a two kilo claiming apprentice who was involved in a similar incident where no action was taken.
Racing Victoria chairman of stewards Terry Bailey said each case turned on its own merit and noted it would be a “sad day” if stewards didn’t take into account the fact that a claiming apprentice was involved.
Williams asked stewards: “How many times am I in trouble with you in a year?”
But, Bailey said that argument was relevant solely to penalty not to a jockey’s innocence or guilt.
After the suspension was announced, Williams said he viewed the eight meeting suspension as “fair”.
– Racing Network
