’Humbled’ Craig Williams secures Ukraine donation thanks to Tiger Shark’s fighting win

Craig Williams had extra motivation when urging Tiger Shark over the line at Doomben on Saturday, with the horse’s owner donating a chunk of the $81,000 winner’s cheque to the jockey’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

Tiger Shark (centre) holds on to win at Doomben on Saturday. Picture: Grant Peters / Trackside Photography

Craig Williams had extra motivation when urging Tiger Shark over the line in the Darby McCarthy (1100m) at Doomben on Saturday, with owner and Boost Juice founder Jeff Allis donating a chunk of the $81,000 winner’s cheque to the jockey’s humanitarian efforts in Ukraine.

The giant killing Tiger Shark was at it again, upstaging her rivals at a double-figure quote, with trainer Natalie McCall rewarded for her bold decision to back her up from a disappointing run in the Listed Bright Shadow seven days earlier.

“Jeff Allis, the horse’s owner is a really good friend of Chris and Sam Symons, and they have been very good supporters of our efforts,” Williams said.

“Chris drove a vehicle into Ukraine when we took over 1000 kilos of supplies, so that last little bit I said to her (the filly) ‘you have to stay strong so we can support people in Ukraine.

“We’re grateful to everyone who has donated and it humbles me and proud when my wife and I are representing people in Australia – predominantly in thoroughbred racing – but people on the street as well.

“We’re only the conduit in getting things over there and supporting the cause.”

🐯🦈 Tiger Shark wins the Darby McCarthy at Doomben!@BrisRacingClub@[e-mail]/DXvPPWN0Ik

— SKY Racing (@SkyRacingAU) May 25, 2024

It came as Doomben Cup day got off to a quirky start when correct weight in the first race was delayed as stewards checked whether fourth-placed runner Sir Warwick had received an unfair advantage at the jump.

Sir Warwick pushed his barrier open at a similar time to the starter releasing the field, with the Toowoomba trained galloper bursting to a lead of a couple of lengths in the 1350m race.

“Every start this horse does this,” Melbourne Cup winning jockey Michael Rodd told stewards.

“The starter says ‘all-clear’ and for some reason he understands what that means.

“He got out the way he normally does.”

After a long deliberation, chief steward Josh Adams ruled stewards could not be comfortably satisfied Sir Warwick had received an unfair advantage and he was declared a runner, in the race which was won by Bjorn Baker galloper Wategos.

Originally published as ’Humbled’ Craig Williams secures Ukraine donation thanks to Tiger Shark’s fighting win