Vigor ride open for Williams
Danny O'Brien has kept the Caulfield Cup ride on Vigor open for Craig Williams pending an appeal against a 10-meeting suspension for careless riding.
O'Brien said he was happy waiting for an appeal Williams may lodge within 24 hours.
He said an impressive list of jockeys - Kerrin McEvoy, Glen Boss, Craig Newitt, Corey Brown and Stephen Baster - had all expressed an interest in riding the Caulfield Cup third favourite.
"I told Craig I'd wait until there was a decision," O'Brien said.
Williams, who pleaded not guilty to careless rining in last Saturday's Turnbull Stakes, said he would make a decision today on whether to appeal.
The four-time Scobie Breasley Medal-winning jockey was adamant after the steward's inquiry he hadn't caused interference to Predatory Pricer.
During an animated and at times lively exchange, Williams blamed Boss on Red Ruler for the interference.
"I got dictated to. The horse (Red Ruler) on my outside is dictating my line," Williams said.
Boss took exception to Williams' accusation.
"Pointing the blame at me, I just can't see where you are coming from," Boss said.
Outside the hearing Boss told Williams he "had embarrassed everyone" and had been "grasping at thin air".
Racing Victoria chairman of stewards Terry Bailey rejected Williams' argument.
He said Williams was careless in permitting his mount to shift in and had failed to relieve the pressure on jockeys on his inside.
Bailey said stewards viewed the degree of carelessness in the medium range, which equated to a 10-meeting suspension.
He said stewards took into account Williams' record - he has been suspended three times this year for careless riding.
"And, we also took into account that it's not a Maiden at Pakenham, but a Group 1 race," he said.
Story by Adrian Dunn, to view full Herald-Sun story click here
Photo by Bruno Canatelli, to view Bruno's website click here
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