Veteran jockey Craig Williams concedes potentially the biggest impediment to a 10th Victorian premiership is chasing Group 1 glory up north.
Williams sits four wins clear of rival Jamie Mott, but is now set to miss some crucial local meetings to ride in the Queensland Winter Carnival over the next two weeks.
“I am going to miss 18 (Victorian) races being up in Brisbane over the next two weeks,” Williams said on Saturday after wining race 1 onboard Obambulate for Trent Busuttin and Natalie Young
“I count them by races not meetings,” Williams said post race.
“I am riding at the (Queensland) Oaks meeting next week and the Stradbroke meeting a week later so there are 18 (Victorian) races that I don’t ride in and that I will be away for.”
Caulfield Race 1 | Obambulate
Obambulate makes light work of his opposition in the first at Caulfield! @CWilliamsJockey steers his mount into the wider lanes for an authoritative win
📺 Ch. 78/68, Foxtel 529, Kayo or via our app
REPLAYS: https://t.co/ZIa4a02wC0 pic.twitter.com/LjE0NLNEFn— Racing.com (@Racing) May 30, 2026
Williams happily admits another premiership is front and centre this time of year.
“Every season we sit down with my team and work out what our goals and targets are – the G1s and the big money races,” he said.
“Then, of course, it’s about the horses you have and where they are going to go and the ones you want to align with and to keep relationships going.
“Obviously, at this time of the year now and the position I am in, then of course it’s (10th premiership) a great thing to aim for. That would make it 10 and just one off the all-time leaders.
“The other thing is that (last year’s winner) Blake Shinn is not here and that’s a great help as he’s such a good rider.
“We’ve got such great riders here but not everyone focusses on the premiership. Where I am at the moment, I do focus on it.”
