Connie’s Keep His Cool

Because of the weather Phil Williamson knew it could take a bit longer to get to Ascot Park today(Saturday) and with the first race starting at 11:17am he certainly cut it fine when his float rolled into the float park at about 11.00am.

His stable runner in race one, two year old Majestic Connies handled the rush like a pro and with a helping hand from others the horse made it on to the track in time to start and subsequently to win impressively.

"He just stood there like a lamb and then went out there and did the job," said part owner Alan Mason who had also travelled down from Oamaru to see the run. He shares in the ownership with Peter Evans of Christchurch, NJ Simpson and the Wagovi Sydicate which is managed by Gordon Stewart of Cromwell.

The son of Majestic Son was purchased by Williamson for just $9,000 at the 2016 Sale of the Stars.

“Right from day one Phil liked him so he just pushed on. The Yearling Sale race came along and we decided to pay up. He was working with Springbank Lachie and Majestic Man and he was going with them. We were going to go to Ashburton a few weeks ago. I was halfway there in the car and Phil rang and said 'you can turn around and go back again. The horse had got a cold.' So we turned him out for eight days. We carried on and thought we’d try to get some money back (from the purchase price) in the Sales Series and he trotted all the way and got a pretty good third. We then thought we might have a shot at this race down here and if he won we’d go to the Jewels.” 

Mason said Williamson rang him last night to tell him the horse was really well and had been bucking and kicking in the paddock but that he wasn't sure whether he would be able to make the trip south. However horse and trainer made it through the hail and snow.  

The winning margin was six and a half lengths and Majestic Connies winning time of 2-58.1 was a new track record for two year old trotters for the 2200 metre stand. The old record of 2-59.0 was recorded by Duke Of The Moment in 2011. He was also trained by Williamson.

Returning back to the birdcage          – Photo Bruce Stewart.

Of the run today Mason said “That was only his second race and first from the stand. He’s a sensible wee fella and he’s got a bit of lick. He’s got a lovely gait so that’s why we’ve kept him going."

Mason, who had a royal delivery mail run in Oamaru, has raced horses for over twenty years. He held a training license in the 1985 season.

"I used to potter around with horses after work. I had twenty acres, a wee track and a barn."  

Winning connections                                  – Photo Bruce Stewart 

He raced Adios Bachelor gelding Lochinora which won at it's second start at Methven in April 1985 when trained by Mike DeFilippi. He was then sold to Amercia.

He's also raced some handy trotters with the best being Lets Get Serious which won ten races for him before he was sold. The Sundon gelding went on to win a total of forty races and $803,799.

He's also had success with Galleons Triumph (5 wins), All Action Man (4 wins) and Nickelson (6 wins).

"All the horses I've had with Phil have now won." 

Majestic Connies win today now elevates her to tenth position for the Neumann Tyres and Tyre General Two Year Old Ruby on Harness Jewels day in two weeks. The top two slots in this race are also Phil Williamson runners Majestic Man (1) and Springbank Lachie (2). 

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing