breednet.com.au

Bailey explains Williams tool heist in Lawrence Stakes

Brad Waters - Tuesday August 22

Racing Victoria chief steward Terry Bailey says only the on-course farrier knew Craig Williams had 'borrowed' tools to ensure he made the weight on PB Lawrence Stakes winner Hartnell.

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Racing Victoria Chief Steward Terry Bailey cleared the air over exactly what happened with Craig Williams and Saturday's Weightgate affair. Photo: Darryl Sherer

Williams earned a $2000 fine for slipping the farrier's tools down the side of his boot behind the barriers because he had realised he had weighed out wearing a different vest to the one worn in the Lawrence Stakes.

Thankfully for Williams and stewards, the decision made no difference as Hartnell blitzed his opposition before the jockey weighed in 1.2kg above his correct weight.

"The gear was on the ground and Craig ran over and grabbed it and jumped back on his horse," Bailey told RSN927.

Later in the day Bailey spoke with Racing.com explaining what he believed Craig Williams should have done.

"The farrier wasn't in the immediate vicinity of his gear. He saw him grab it but he wasn't at a distance to stop him and it all happened very quickly."

Bailey said stewards learned of Williams's extra baggage when they weighed him on the same scales on which he weighed out before the preceding race. Winning jockeys weigh in on separate scales in the mounting yard at Melbourne meetings.

Bailey added the fact Hartnell won the race averted a situation that would have landed Williams with a hefty penalty.

"Craig got on the scales, weighed in at 61.3(kg) and then indicated, 'I can tell you why', he went into the stewards' room and the rest unfolded from there," Bailey said.

"The number of circumstances or repercussions could have been great. Fortunately, in some respects, it all worked out well.

"Had the horse got beaten a head, for instance. You'd imagine Craig Williams would have had a very long suspension.

"Had he not done it and weighed in light, the punters do their money. There were a lot of scenarios that would have played out.

"He would have been cutting it fine if he didn't do what he did."

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