A treble at Flemington on Saturday has kept Craig Williams’ hopes of a tenth Melbourne Jockeys’ Premiership alive.
That treble leaves Williams five wins adrift of Premiership leader Blake Shinn with 25 metropolitan races of the season remaining.
Williams had closed the gap to four prior to last Wednesday’s Sandown meeting, but Shinn rode a treble while Williams went home winless.
The jockey was happy to be driving home as he had the misfortune of one of his mounts going amiss during a race.
“Last Wednesday I went to the races and said Blake has got some great rides, and I’ve got some good rides,” Williams said.
“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.
“My wife came home and said it’s all well and good that you’re trying to win a premiership, but you are home and I’m happy.
“It’s all about perspective.”
Williams was able to regroup from that near disaster and land three winners at Flemington, to Shinn’s one, and the battle resumes at Sandown on Wednesday.
Both have solid books of rides with Williams having a ride in all eight races and Shinn in seven, with Shinn engaged on three early favourites with Williams aboard one, Leaving Las Vegas in the opening race.
Williams said he was entering the final three meetings with perspective and determination.
“I love hunting, and I need to hunt as Blake is unbelievable,” Williams said.
“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.”
Williams is down to ride one of Kin, Kallos or Inhibitions for Godolphin and James Cummings in the Group 3 Bletchingly Stakes (1200m) at Caulfield on Saturday.
He had hoped the Joe Pride-trained In Flight would remain for the race following her win in the Group 3 Sir John Monash Stakes (1100m) at Caulfield on July 12.
“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.”
Williams is booked in for a break at seasons end.
He will be flying to Ukraine at the conclusion of the final metropolitan meeting on July 30 – hopefully with a premiership under his wing.
“I was hoping to go earlier, but Blake changed it,” Williams said.
