Craig Williams focussed on Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership honours

Determined to etch his name among the all-time greats, Craig Williams is not letting a mid-season suspension derail his bid for a tenth Victorian Jockeys’ Premiership title.

Williams is serving a two-week ban after receiving a careless riding charge from the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm and will be back in the saddle from July 6.

A strong showing at Flemington, where he scored a double, has trimmed the gap between him and injured leader Blake Shinn to just eight wins.

“It’s a goal,” Williams said.

“There’s nothing better than being in winter and having goals and challenges. It doesn’t matter what the weather is or what the horses are, we’re trying to get the best out of them and to be lucky enough to win a tenth championship.

“I’ve got seven meetings (when I come back) and 70 something races.

“I’ve worked out the races. There might be added races, but I lose one as there is an apprentice only race on the Saturday, I get back.”

Williams highlighted the success he’s had this season, including five Group 1 victories, wins in The Everest, and the Hong Kong Derby.

“But it’s been an amazing season. I’ve won five Group 1’s, The Everest, a Hong Kong Derby and we’re only in this position because of Blake Shinn’s unfortunate incident.

“He’s been very dominant.”

Williams will be absent from the Winter Championships Finals Day, traditionally a productive meeting for him, due to the suspension.

“I can’t ride Finals Day. I’m very saddened by that, but they’re the rules of racing and it is what it is, so I’ll just have to work harder,” he said.

“The suspension just means I’m not race riding, but I want to win a Championship, so I’ll continue working hard and I’ll be at all the tracks.

“It also means a visit to Ukraine is off until we win the Championship.

“The work that we do here, 10 per cent goes to Ukraine. That is the opportunity we get to promote the sad situation for the Ukrainian people, that’s first and foremost.

“Our children will go over the holidays, but they’re not allowed to go to Kiev, because Kiev is very dangerous.

“My wife (Larysa) is trying to help me win the Championship and once we get that next eight (winners), we’ll go back to Ukraine and help with the humanitarian aid.”

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