Craig Williams is set to miss the ride on Sydney Cup favourite Big Duke after being suspended for careless riding at Sandown.

Williams was outed for eight meetings yesterday after pleading guilty to a careless riding charge stemming from his win on Lopartega in the sixth event on the card.

Stewards ruled Williams' carelessness, in shifting out at the 400-metre mark when insufficiently clear of Dwayne Dunn's mount Rocbolt, fell into the low range but his eight meeting penalty still rules him out of racing this Saturday.

Williams did not comment on whether he would appeal the severity of penalty.

He was booked to ride Big Duke in Saturday's rescheduled A$2 million Sydney Cup, for which the Darren Weir-trained stayer is the $3.50 favourite.

Williams' win on Lopartega put him five wins clear of nearest rival Beau Mertens in the Melbourne jockeys' premiership.