THE four-year partnership between trainer David Hayes and jockey Craig Williams is over with the 32-year-old rider told yesterday that his services were no longer required,, reports The Age.It says: Neither Hayes nor Williams could be contacted last night but it is understood that Hayes sacked Williams as No. 1 stable rider following a disagreement over the weekend. The four-year relationship, which has yielded Williams four consecutive Melbourne jockey's premierships as well as four straight Sc
THE four-year partnership between trainer David Hayes and jockey Craig Williams is over with the 32-year-old rider told yesterday that his services were no longer required,, reports The Age.
It says: Neither Hayes nor Williams could be contacted last night but it is understood that Hayes sacked Williams as No. 1 stable rider following a disagreement over the weekend. The four-year relationship, which has yielded Williams four consecutive Melbourne jockey's premierships as well as four straight Scobie Breasley Medals, has been strained for some time with just two of Williams' 13 Melbourne winners this season provided by Hayes' Lindsay Park establishment.
It is understood the final straw came when Williams rode La Bella Encosta into second place in the opening event at Caulfield last Saturday. Hayes had a further seven starters throughout the program but Williams was not engaged for any of them.
Hayes admitted he had been speechless after Williams' ride on Nicconi in the group 1 Manikato Stakes at Moonee Valley when the four-year-old came from last to just fail to catch Danleigh and Phelan Ready. Heated words were then exchanged between the pair at Caulfield on Saturday with Hayes deciding yesterday to cut ties. It is understood no rider has been approached to take the coveted position.
The pair have had a hot and cold relationship for much of the four years that Williams was No. 1 rider. Williams was not the first choice of rider for many of Lindsay Park's owners but managed to attract numerous outside rides.