Williams maintains 11-win premiership lead

Craig Williams has maintained an 11-win lead in the Melbourne jockeys’ premiership as he prepares for a holiday.

Williams had ridden 12 winners from the past three city meetings and it took him until the final race on Saturday’s card to add to his tally.

Malaise got home in a photo finish over Widgee Turf in the Ladbrokes Cash Out Handicap (1400m) to take Williams to 63 city wins for the season in Melbourne with four meetings remaining.

His nearest challenger in the premiership, Damian Lane, also rode one winner on the day aboard Malaise’s James Cummings-trained stablemate Demolition in the Ladbrokes Multiverse Handicap (1400m).

Williams is on target to clinch his seventh Melbourne premiership but is set to miss at least three of the final four meetings.