Craig Williams has launched an appeal against the severity of a careless riding suspension in a bid to ride in next Saturday’s Group I CF Orr Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield.
Williams was suspended for eight meetings after he pleaded guilty to causing interference aboard the Chris Waller-trained Danjeu in the Robert Hunter Handicap (2400m).
Williams decided to start his suspension at midnight on Saturday, forgoing the ride on the Waller-trained Quick Strike in Monday’s Hobart Cup.
The jockey’s issue is exacerbated by the absence of a Pakenham twilight meeting on Thursday, which would have allowed Williams to ride at Caulfield.
Williams has bookings on Rising Romance in the CF Orr Stakes, Weatherly in the Group III Blue Diamond Prelude for colts and geldings and the Gimcrack Stakes winner Calliope in the fillies’ Prelude.
The Racing Appeals and Disciplinary Board is expected to hear Williams’s appeal on Monday or Tuesday.
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