It’s a good move for Robert before it’s too late. Liam has been here for more than six years.
- Lloyd Williams
FORMER Ovens and Murray premiership player Robbie Hickmott will finish up as Lloyd Williams’ head trainer following Saturday's Zipping Classic meeting at Sandown.
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Hickmott took over from previous trainer John Sadler in 2009 and was in charge when Green Moon (2012) and Almandin (2016) won the Melbourne Cup.
His next move remains unclear.
Assistant-trainer Liam Howley, who worked in the UK for Darley, will replace Hickmott.
“It’s a good move for Robert before it’s too late,” the six-time Melbourne Cup-winning owner said.
"Liam has been here for more than six years and has the international experience that suits our operation.”
Howley was raised in Shepparton.
The former Wangaratta Rovers player made an emotional home-coming to the North-East earlier this year to snare his first $80,000 Wangaratta Cup (2000m) with Our Century.
Hickmott’s father, John, was a trainer based at Wangaratta before they moved to Murray Bridge.
Robbie then returned to Victoria and worked for trainers Colin Little and Tony Vasil and, after a brief stint in Queensland, joined Williams.
He was credited with playing a major role with Williams’ Melbourne Cup winner Efficient in 2007 despite the galloper being trained by Graeme Rogerson.
Hickmott played two senior AFL matches for Melbourne after being selected with pick 45 in 1990 and later became the first AFL footballer to train a Melbourne Cup-winning horse.
