Disappointed at his sacking from the ride aboard Giga Kick in The Everest, Craig Williams says the past 18 months has taught him there are bigger things in life than horse racing.
Williams and his family are involved and continue their humanitarian support of residents in Ukraine who suffer daily in the war with Russia.
While still passionate about his on-going job in horse racing, Williams said the war in Ukraine had put life in a different perspective for not only him, but his family.
Williams was informed on Friday that James Mcdonald would ride Giga Kick in the Group 2 Premiere Stakes (1200m) at Randwick on September 30 and in The Everest (1200m) on October 14.
It did not take Williams long to bounce back guiding the Donna Scott-trained Our Last Cash in the Robert Cram Sprint (1100m) to victory in the opening race at Flemington on Saturday.
âEveryoneâs dealing with something,â Williams said.
âAs it turned out itâs a horse race, itâs my job, I love to do it.
âI love the horse (Giga Kick), but Jonathonâs (Munz) owners have chosen to replace me and thatâs his prerogative.
âMy job and my team and my support around me and the stuff that we do humanitarian wise, it puts a greater perspective on life.
âAs much as I love it, breathe it, sleep it, dream about it, I love my racing, Iâve got a really good perspective of life in the last 18 months.
âI guess a time like now actually shows people that come out and really support situations, but again, I canât ride the horse, itâs a bit disappointing but I wish the horse all the best.
âI think heâs a superstar so good luck to him going forward.â
In a hoofnote, Rod Douglas, the racing manager for Jonathon Munz, was fined $1500 on Saturday by Racing Victoria stewards for comments made in a radio interview that were deemed âdetrimental to the interests of racingâ.
Douglas later phoned Williams to apologise for those comments which aired on Wednesday after Williams was beaten aboard Giga in the Group 2 McEwen Stakes (1000m) at Moonee Valley last Saturday.