Turtle gets 900

Tim Williams, the man they call ‘Turtle,’ wasted no time in getting his 900th harness racing win at the Wairio meeting today.

His 900th ticked over in Race Five when he reined home Bondi Lustre (Sunshine Beach) to win for Ladsbrooks trainer Ivan Court.

Williams found the front from a wide draw, led all the way and held out She’s A Jewel to win by a head.

BONDI LUSTRE REPLAY

“You always hope you’re going to drive that many winners but when you start off it does seem like a long way off. Pleased to get there and tick it off the bucket list,” Williams said.

His first winner was Easy Armbro for Robert Dunn at Rangiora in December 2007.

In the Wilbur Ellis NZ Limited Gold Chip Final, Williams continued on his winning way when he led and won again, driving BD Hall (Andover Hall) for his bosses Steve and Amanda Telfer.

BD HALL REPLAY

“I’m pleased with the way he keeps handling himself. He stepped away nice again, showed good manners, got a good attitude and he wants to trot. It’s been a good exercise to come down here and give him a trip away. He’ll go home now and go to the paddock for a nice break. He’s got a bit of growing to do. He’s a big boy.”

The win was the three year old’s second in just three starts.

In the $15,000 Southern Standardbred Southern Belle Speed Series it was déjà vu when Williams took out his third win for the day with quality mare Sweet Diamond (Sweet Lou).

SWEET DIAMOND REPLAY

“I said we were going to go back and drive her cold, but Mandy (co-trainer Amanda Telfer) has changed her training. We haven’t put the hopples on her and we’ve used her as the GP (galloping pacemaker). I said to Mandy (that) when I got on the gate I changed my mind because she felt like her old self again. After 50 metres I felt I had a good chance of finding the fence. Once I found the fence it was probably the winning of the race.”

It was the five year old mare’s first win since May 2024.

“It just goes to show all that hard racing against those good fillies and mares is hard. Today was the first time in a while she’s been able to find the fence.”

At the end of the 1609 metre trip today Sweet Diamond held out a brave Katherine, to win by a neck with a further neck back to Beach Day.

Although Sweet Diamond was the highest rated mare in the race, punters were put off by her poor form and wide barrier draw. She paid $20.50 and $4.20.

The winning time was 1-54.4.

The $40,000 Southern Belle Final will be held at Winton 17th April.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink