Racing
Williams focussed on Premiership honours
Craig Williams will continue to work hard in his bid for another Premiership success.
Jockey Craig Williams has his mind set on winning a tenth Victorian Jockeys' Premiership and won't let a 'holiday' interfere with that.
Williams has commenced a two-week ban following a careless riding suspension incurred in the Stradbroke Handicap at Eagle Farm last week and will return to the saddle on July 6.
A double at Flemington on Saturday took Williams to within eight winners of current Premiership leader Blake Shinn who is sidelined through injury.
If successful in his chase, Williams will join Damien Oliver with 10 premiership victories and sit one behind record holders Roy Higgins and Bill Williamson.
"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.
"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 was planning on taking a break after Winter Championships Finals Day at Flemington on July 5, a meeting that has been kind to the jockey in recent seasons.
But the Stradbroke Handicap suspension has ruled him out of that meeting.
"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," Williams 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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