Famed Australian hoop Craig Williams has been suspended following his ride aboard Leica Ding in Tuesday’s Melbourne Cup where he was found guilty of interference.

William’s mount Leica Ding clipped the heels of fancied Kiwi mare Daffodil around the 300m mark in the race, ruining the runner’s chances in the coveted $5.65million event.

The impact caused Daffodil, who was a $15 shot for the race, to nearly fall, knocking her out of contention as she couldn’t run strongly up the straight. The mare managed to finish 11^th in the 23 horse field, a brave effort considering the interference. It was a devastating result for her connections however, as she missed out on the $115 000 consolation prize paid down to the 10^th place runner by just one spot.

A 14 race meeting ban has been placed on Williams, who ended up finishing 14^th with Leica Ding in the Cup, with Racing Victoria stewards rating the suspension in the high range.

Chris Munce, the jockey aboard Daffodil for the ride, stated that Leica Ding got in right under the mare’s neck approaching the home straight, knocking the top of her head.

Williams’ suspension begins at midnight Thursday after the Crown Oaks meeting and will cease midnight November 18.

Daffodil, who avoided any serious injury, has been spelled by trainer Kevin Gray who has said she might return for a run in the autumn.