\u2022 PUNT LIKE A PRO<\/a>: Become a Racenet iQ member<\/a> and get expert tips \u2013 with fully transparent return on investment statistics \u2013 from Racenet\u2019s team of professional punters at our Pro Tips section<\/a>. SUBSCRIBE NOW<\/a>!<\/p>\n Leading jockey Mott, set to claim the state title for the first time, challenged Williams the past month for the metropolitan crown.<\/p>\n \u201cIt\u2019s one of the goals we set every year (premiership), we have many goals obviously, and when you\u2019re in the position, close to it,\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou start planning around it and that\u2019s what we did \u2026 it\u2019s worked out, so Larysa (wife) and I are heading over to Ukraine now to deliver our humanitarian aid.<\/p>\n \u201cYou go from completing another goal to realising not everyone has the same life as we all have \u2026 it makes you put perspective on things but makes me be grateful.<\/p>\n \u201cI love my job, I can do a sport, my children grow up in a safe country, it\u2019s something I\u2019m really grateful for.\u201d<\/p>\n Williams with Ukraine-born wife Larysa has travelled to war-torn nation since the Russian conflict started in 2022,<\/a> twice in the first year, delivering about $3.3m to date in humanitarian aid, including trauma first-aid kits, medical equipment, vehicles to be repurposed as ambulances and essential survival gear.<\/p>\n Generous ongoing donations, largely from within the Australian racing community, and personal contributions has funded the Williams\u2019s Ukraine project. <\/p>\n Williams has captured an elusive 10th \u201cchampionship\u201d in 20 years and first since the 2019-2020 season.<\/p>\n Williams joined the retired Damien Oliver on 10 and moved to within one of a record (11) held by the late turf icons Billy Duncan and Roy Higgins.<\/p>\n \u201cI chased one, I chased two, three, four, five but it\u2019s great (to get 10),\u201d Williams said.<\/p>\n \u201cYou\u2019re only as good as your opposition \u2026 the last two and a bit months every time I closed my eyes I could see 10.<\/p>\n \u201cEvery time I did my workout every morning, looking up at the wall, I saw 10, I was driven by it, but I can\u2019t do it alone. <\/p>\n \u201cMy team is amazing, my manager, my family, all the people \u2026 it\u2019s great we have so many people driven to this, the result is not me, it\u2019s everyone.<\/p>\n \u201cPlus the opportunities I get from trainers, owners, and the horses have to run their hearts out, it\u2019s been a fantastic season and I\u2019m looking forward to the new season.\u201d<\/p>\n READ: WA raider on Cox Plate crusade after Bletchingly success<\/a><\/p>\n Williams has ridden 65 winners in Melbourne this season.<\/p>\n Mott moved to 52 with the win aboard Our Chief last Saturday, while a Caulfield double promoted leading apprentice Luke Cartwright (43) to third place.<\/p>\n Mark Zahra (42) led for much of the season but an unfortunate injury earlier in the year stalled progress<\/p>\n Meanwhile, champion trainer Ciaron Maher moved to 100 Melbourne winners for the season with a Caulfield treble last season, en route to a sixth-straight trainer\u2019s title.<\/p>\n Williams Ukraine Project Donations can be made HERE<\/a>:\u00a0<\/p>\n PERFECT 10\ufeff<\/p>\n Craig Williams\u2019 Melbourne Premiership Titles<\/p>\n Season Wins<\/p>\n 2005-06 70<\/p>\n 2006-07 94<\/p>\n 2007-08 86 <\/p>\n 2008-09 71<\/p>\n 2015-16 70<\/p>\n 2016-17 77<\/p>\n 2017-18 63<\/p>\n 2018-19 83<\/p>\n 2019-20 70<\/p>\n 2025-26 65<\/p>\n Read related topics:Russia And Ukraine Conflict<\/a> Gilbert Gardiner is a sports reporter for the Herald Sun and Sunday Herald Sun.<\/p>\n","protected":false},"excerpt":{"rendered":"Champion jockey Craig Williams has turned his attention to a sixth Ukraine humanitarian mission after mathematically securing 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<\/a>Gilbert Gardiner<\/a>Sports reporter<\/p>\n