Personal best in sight for Williams

Tim Williams will attempt to bring up a new personal best at Addington on Friday night as an exciting new season approaches.

Williams heads into the meeting with 90 wins this term, the same number he racked up in the 2018-19 season.

The reinsman has the chance to set a new season’s best tally with his six drives on Friday night and his three at Addington on Sunday.

Chief Of Staff, who starts in Friday night’s feature trot, looks to be one of Williams’ biggest winning threats across the weekend.

The Robert Dunn trained seven-year-old comes into the race 8 in superb form, which he capped with his last start win in a similar line up.

“He is just Mr Reliable, since he has been with the Dunns he hasn’t missed a cheque,” Williams said.

“The 30m handicap won’t be easy but he was good enough to trot 3.18 (for 2600m) last time.”

“You wouldn’t think he would be far away, but obviously the handicap will come into play at some point.”

Williams starts his evening in race 1 with Rollyourown.

The pacer is the only horse on the second row of the mobile and his reinsman hopes that could work out well for him.

“He has been going good but he hasn’t had much luck with trips.”

“From the draw, if he gets half a suck along, off his last couple of runs he has proved that he is not far away from winning one.”

Williams also wraps his evening with a strong winning chance in Glenthorne in race 10.

The five-year-old returned from a spell with a nice second at Addington and he should return to the track fitter for that run.

“He has drawn in a little bit closer this time, he has got pretty good gate speed and puts himself in a forward position which he tends to enjoy.”

“I think he would have taken a bit of benefit from his first-up run.”

As well as Rollyourown, Williams combines with another Grant Payne trained runner in race 9 in Arden’s Delight.

The three-year-old will attempt to back up her last win at Addington from barrier 4.

“She has got the right sort of draw, she has got a bit of speed early.”

“Whether it is enough to get to the markers or not, it is not going to be the be-all or end-all.”

“If she gets a comfortable enough trip she has got enough speed to mix it with them.”

Smooth Debate was a winner at Addington two starts ago before being wiped out of her last start.

With more luck the five-year-old looks capable of running in the money in race 5.

“If she gets the right trip and can settle handy to the pace, she is definitely a First4 chance.”

Williams also combines with The Matriarch who looks a rough chance in race 3.

Following Friday and Sunday’s meetings Williams has plenty to look forward to in the new season.

The reinsman will soon be working for Stonewall Stud when their new South Island operation is established in the coming weeks.

By Jonny Turner