Williams to appeal careless riding ban

Craig Williams has immediately signalled he will appeal a 10-meeting suspension for careless riding in a race at Moonee Valley.

Racing Victoria stewards issued the penalty from Saturday’s Moonee Valley meeting at a reconvened inquiry at Sandown on Wednesday, determining he had shifted out on Sebring Sun at the 200m mark of a race, causing another runner to be hampered.

An angry Williams disagreed his actions constituted careless riding, arguing jockey Stephen Baster on Rich Jack never lost his running.

The inquiry was adjourned until Wednesday so that Chris Symons, who rode the horse to the outside of Rich Jack, could give evidence.

Williams immediately indicated he would appeal the decision at the Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board.

“You might as well give me the RAD Board form to fill out,” Williams told stewards when he was asked to address the panel regarding penalty.

“I’m very disappointed if this is a charge of carelessness.”

Williams had originally pleaded guilty to “hampering” during Saturday’s inquiry but withdrew that and pleaded not guilty to the charge.

The jockey is free to ride at Saturday’s Flemington meeting where his mounts include He Or She in the Group One Makybe Diva Stakes.

His ban is due to commence after that meeting and he will miss the Naturalism Stakes meeting the following Saturday unless he wins his appeal.