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.

Advertisement
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."

Advertisment
More Reading...
Derby Options Alive For Impending Colt
Tony and Calvin McEvoy look to have a smart 3yo on their hands as Impending colt Options wins the Listed VRC Super Impose Stakes (1800m) at Flemington and could now be aimed towards the $2m Group 1 VRC Derby (2500m) on November 1.
Miraval Rose Impresses With G2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes Win
Already a Listed winner at 3 and 4, Grahame Begg’s Grunt mare Miraval Rose added her third black type victory to her record, winning the $300,000 Group 2 VRC Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) in style at Flemington on Saturday.
Lindsay Park Love Their Per Incanto's
Ben, Will and JD Hayes know a thing or two about the juvenile progeny of Per Incanto (USA), and they unveiled another exciting son of the Little Avondale Stud stallion in Melbourne’s first two-year-old race of the season on Saturday.
Hartnell gets a look at Caulfield
Godolphin sent Hartnell to Caulfield on Tuesday morning to give the import a look at the track ahead of Saturday's Group II PB Lawrence Stakes (1400m).
Apocalyptic Crowned Darley Princess with G1 Flight Victory
Extreme Choice filly Apocalyptic has been the dominant force in the Darley Princess Series this year and she claimed the jewel in the crown at Randwick on Saturday with a commanding win in the $750,000 Group I ATC Flight Stakes (1600m).
Sires With Winners - Friday October 3
Here is the full list of 61 stallions which had winners throughout Australasia today with winners and result details.
Sensational Seven - Autumn Glow Remains Unbeaten With G1 Epsom Victory
Chasing her first Group 1 victory and in the process attempting to remain unbeaten, outstanding 4yo mare Autumn Glow did all that and more, jumping from the outside barrier to give Chris Waller his sixth victory in the $1.5m Group 1 ATC Epsom Handicap (1600m) at Randwick on Saturday.
Inglis and Yulong Confirm Magic Time for Everest Slot
Inglis will partner with worldwide racing and breeding powerhouse Yulong for the running of the 2025 The Everest, with the combination to be represented by Magic Time in the $20m contest.
Too Darn Hot’s Shiki Wins G3 Gimcrack Stakes
Winning her heat in good time at the official 2yo trials saw the Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott trained Too Darn Hot filly Shiki jump away the race favourite in Saturday’s $250,000 Group 3 Keeneland Gimcrack Stakes (1000m), a race she duly won with a fighting performance.
Lonhro Blueblood Colt Wins Listed Dulcify
At the start of August we ran a story about the 3YO’s that were entered for this year Cox Plate and aside from the usual suspects there were some ‘Cox Plate’ dreamers and one of them was unraced Lonhro colt Attica, who scored his first stakes win at Randwick on Saturday when taking out the Listed ATC Dulcify Stakes (1600m).