There is no doubting Craig Williams’ desire to claim a 10th Melbourne jockey’s title this season after he partnered the opening race winner Obambulate at Caulfield on Saturday.
So meticulous is the 83-time Group 1 winner in his pursuit of the title that he no longer counts how many meetings are remaining for the season, rather how many races he might miss if he has interstate commitments.
“I am going to miss 18 (Victorian) races being up in Brisbane over the next two weeks,” Williams said matter-of-factly. “I count them by races not meetings.
“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.”
The opening race win took Williams’ season tally in Melbourne to 48 to be four wins ahead of nearest rival Jamie Mott. He said the prospect of a possible 10th Melbourne title was a big driver to his season.
“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.
Obambulate ridden by Craig Williams wins the Sportsbet Feed Handicap at Caulfield Racecourse on May 30, 2026 in Caulfield, Australia. (Photo by Reg Ryan/Racing Photos)
“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.”
The record of 11 Melbourne premiership wins is held jointly by Billy Duncan, who rode with great success 100 years ago, and by the late great Roy Higgins, who won his 11 between 1965 and 1978.
Next Saturday in the G1 Queensland Oaks, Williams rides Paltrow Miss for Ciaron Maher and the following week he returns to Brisbane for rides such as the Stradbroke Handicap lightweight hope Splash Back.
He currently sits second on the G1 list for the season with eight winners behind the runaway leader James McDonald on 15 Australian G1 wins.
After his win on Obambulate, Williams threw his goggles to a fan in the crowd and acknowledged a string of birthday wishes for last week from his sea of fans.
It was Williams’ 49th birthday last week, but the popular rider doesn’t need a milestone to find himself in a joyous mood. “It’s my birthday every day,” he said.
Craig Williams on the win at Caulfield – Simurgh
Simurgh has now delivered back to back wins at Caulfield over 2000m with Craig Williams advancing him to another tough victory today. The 4YO gelding by Phoenix Of Spain jumped well from the machines today to settle midfield in the running of the race. At the top of the straight, Craig spotted a nice gap to find his way through for a smooth run to the finish line.