CRAIG Williams rode four winners at Flemington.

CRAIG Williams rode four winners at Flemington, but had a far bigger victory in the steward’s room, reports TVN's Racing Network.

 

It says: Racing Victoria stewards found Williams guilty of careless riding in the VRC St Leger, which he won on the Gai Waterhouse trained Hippopus.

 

But, Williams talked his way out of a 10 meeting suspension, turning it to a seven meeting ban, which will allow him to ride in a Group 1 race at Tokyo on May 5.

 

Chief stipe Terry Bailey said the carelessness fell into the mid-range, which normally carries with it a 14 meeting suspension.

 

Bailey said Williams received a four meeting ‘discount’ for his guilty plea and for his good record - it was Williams first suspension since January 2012.

 

Williams argued strongly that the severity of the suspension was unwarranted given he believed it fell into the low range.

 

He said stewards had failed to consider not only the degree of interference, but how good his record is as well as he had a Group 1 ride in Japan on Sunday week.

 

“Where is the enticement for a jockey to have a good record when you take him out of play for a Group 1 meeting,” Williams queried.

 

“I can’t see how you can restrict me from riding in a Group 1 because of that interference.

 

“I believe with that type of interference I can’t see why the suspension would be any more than six meetings.”

 

Bailey said stewards were unaware of Williams Group 1 commitments in the NKH Mile at Tokyo on Sunday, May 5.

 

He said stewards would consider Williams latest submission.

 

Less than five minutes later, Williams’ suspension had been reduced to seven meetings.