Grant and Alana Williams open up on ‘deeply confronting’ feeling over last month after winning appeal

Top WA trainer Grant Williams has opened up on the “deeply confronting” uncertainty over his and wife Alana’s suspension from racing, further defending their innocence as the pair won an appeal to continue training their horses while an investigation continues. In a statement released to owners following Monday’s stay which allowed them to resume nominating and racing their horses, Williams said that arrangements would be made to re-acquire horses that were temporarily transferred to other trainers. Upon returning to the Williams’ Karnup stable, their preparation will re-commence effectively immediately and the stable expected to have runners at this weekend’s Listed $125,000 Detonator Stakes (1800m) meeting at Ascot. The release spoke about the turmoil the duo had endured over the past month and the wider impact of their indefinite suspension, which was imposed after their horse Starry Heights supplied a positive post-mortem swab to Ritalinic Acid after last year’s Kalgoorlie Cup. “The past few weeks have been extremely difficult for both of us, our immediate family, our staff, and the broader Williams Racing team,” the statement read. “This situation has placed significant emotional and financial strain on everyone involved, and the uncertainty has been deeply confronting. “We are grateful for the resilience and professionalism shown by our staff during this period.” Grant Williams thanked his owners for their support, patience and trust and was apologetic that they had been drawn into circumstances beyond their control. He said the decision allowing them to regain authority to train would allow them to focus on what matters most, “the care, welfare, and performance” of their horses and defended their innocence. “While this matter is ongoing and the final outcome has yet to be determined, we reiterate clearly that at no stage have we knowingly engaged in any conduct that could have resulted in the positive swab returned by Starry Heights,” the statement continued. “We look forward to the opportunity to present our case in full.” The Williams team have not been able to start a runner since January 18 when River Angel and Immortal Bliss placed second at Mount Barker. Watch Me Rock, who flew to Melbourne yesterday, was transferred into Victorian-based trainer Mark Walker’s name but is expected to be listed back under the Williams’ guidance in the coming weeks for Flemington’s $2 million All Star Mile. This comes after Damian Sheales, a Victorian-based lawyer, represented the husband-wife combination at the Racing Penalties Appeals Tribunal (RPAT) in Perth on Monday and gained an appeal victory, allowing the pair to restart operations. Grant and Alana Williams are hailed as WA’s greatest trainers of the modern era, chalking up 121 successes last season and more than 40 clear of their nearest pursuer. Even with the enforced absence, the duo are in second place in this season’s tally, trailing Michael Grantham by two victories in both the statewide and metropolitan tables.