Williams wins coveted Pineapple award

Craig Williams is the winner of Freedman Racing’s Rough End of the Pineapple Award for the 2010-11 season.

Williams graciously accepted his award in a presentation from Anthony and Lee Freedman this week at Markdel.

The Rough End of the Pineapple is given for what the Freedmans consider the worst ride by a jockey on one of their horses for the season.

Williams was awarded top votes for his losing ride on the filly Retsina at Flemington on March 5. The Redoute’s Choice filly, having her first start, charged home late from ninth at the 400 metres to finish fourth, only a neck behind winner Golden Archer in the Listed Streets Ice Cream Stakes (1000m).

In a show of forgiveness – or maybe in a demonstration of the talking ability of Williams – the jockey retained ride the filly at her next start in the Group 2 Magic Night Stakes (12000m) at Rosehill, where she finished 10th behind Altar after racing on the pace.

“It was a very open year with a lot of contenders,” said Anthony Freedman of the prize. “But we felt that in the context of the race – it was a filly we had a big opinion of having her first start in a Stakes race – that Craig deserved this year’s pineapple.

“Nash Rawiller was leading at one stage for his ride on Smokin’ Joey in the AAMI Vase, but he got a reprieve after the horse proved to be disappointing. In fairness, a rider can get wiped from the white board if the horse doesn’t measure up to expectations.

“It’s a coveted award, as the winner usually goes on.”

Williams said he was happy to accept the award after seeing the list of winners. They are:

Danny Nikolic (2009-10)

Aaron Spiteri (2008-09)

Mark Pegus (2007-08)

Vlad Duric (2006-07)

Noel Callow (2005-06)