WILLIAMS TEAM THROW TOYS OUT OF COT AFTER TVN CRITICISM
AN historic hat-trick of wins by Zipping in the Group 2 Sandown Classic, 2400m, on Saturday was unfortunately soured by the refusal of connections to talk with TVN after the race.
Owner Lloyd Williams reportedly banned new trainer Robert Hickmott and jockey Michael Rodd from interviews after TVN commentator Steve Moran made an off-the-cuff remark that upset him earlier in the day.
“The only ones that are suffering are the punters who invest the money that enable races like this to be run,” Moran said. “It is absolutely ridiculous that they are not allowing their new trainer to talk with the media.”Hickmott has only taken over the training duties for the Williams team following the departure of John Sadler, who allegedly was fed up with interference from millionaire owner, Lloyd and his son, Nick.
Rodd, who produced a daring ride on the eve of his wedding to win on Zipping, was visibly embarrassed but was forced to abide by the owner’s wishes and snub the TVN crew.
THE HERALD-SUN reported that Lloyd Williams ordered his team not to talk to TVN after he listened to the TV broadcaster's wrap of the opening race win by Tintern.
It was the first win for new trainer Rob Hickmott who, like Williams's trainers before him, is not free to speak to the media.
Williams told Rod Nicholson of the Herald-Sun: "Steve Moran went into a tirade and said it was a disgrace that TVN could not talk to the new trainer.
"I am sick to death of him. I am over him. He has been having a go at me for eight years.
"I have spent 50 years putting into racing and I don't have to sit here and listen to that.
"The trainer is an employee.I have 60 employees at Mt Macedon and another 60 at Flemington, and I am the chairman. That's the way it is - and either Nick or I make the statements.
"It is not a traditional stable. End of story."
Zipping, $4.60, swept around the field from last to challenge the leader, Purple, $6, which fought back strongly to fail by a head. Master O’Reilly, $8, was a game third. It was the third year on end that Zipping had won the Sandown Classic.
“They didn’t really go hard and I thought if I didn’t go when I did it would leave him a huge job to do to catch the leaders,” Rodd told the remaining media throng.
Part-owner Nick Williams was full of praise for the Rodd ride. “Michael is an in-form jockey. He knew what he was doing. I was terrified but Michael got it right, God bless him.”
Williams said Zipping would head to the paddock before being brought back for an autumn campaign and could even have a fourth crack at the Sandown Classic next Spring.
The win Hickmott’s first feature as a trainer and completed a city double on his first big day for the Williams team. He won the opening race with odds-on favorite Tintern.
