Jockey Craig Williams happy to remain in title race

Craig Williams is making a determined push for his tenth Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership, landing a treble at Flemington to close the gap on Blake Shinn as the race for the title intensifies.

With just 25 metropolitan races remaining this season, Williams trails Shinn by five wins. Although he had reduced the deficit to four midweek, Shinn responded strongly with a treble at Sandown while Williams went winless and was left to reflect on a challenging day.

“Last Wednesday I went to the races and said Blake has got some great rides, and I’ve got some good rides,” Williams explained. “He came away with three winners and I didn’t have one, but what I got out of the day was I had a horse that went amiss, and I got to drive home in my own car.”

Williams' wife offered some valuable perspective: “She said it’s all well and good that you’re trying to win a premiership, but you are home and I’m happy.”

He regrouped strongly at Flemington, notching three wins to Shinn’s one and keeping himself in contention as the jockeys prepare for another showdown at Sandown on Wednesday. Williams has a full book of rides across all eight races, while Shinn has seven mounts, including several early favourites.

“I love hunting, and I need to hunt as Blake is unbelievable,” said Williams. “Wednesday is sorted, Caulfield on Saturday is nearly sorted and the final Wednesday is coming together nicely. My manager Jason Breen is working really hard.”

Saturday’s Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield will see Williams aboard one of the Godolphin trio – Kin, Kallos, or Inhibitions – trained by James Cummings. He had hoped to retain the ride on In Flight following her Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) win, but the Joe Pride-trained mare has returned to Sydney.

“Unfortunately, my horse that won the other day has gone home,” Williams said. “I begged Joe to leave her down here for my own selfish ambitions.”

At season’s end, Williams plans to fly to Ukraine on July 31. “I was hoping to go earlier, but Blake changed it,” he said with a smile.

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