Williams stable looking to end run of minor placings

Bagdad-based trainer Paul Williams will take three harness racing runners to Hobart on Friday night, hoping his recent run of minor placings can be improved with a winner.

Williams has prepared one winner this season, with nine minor placings from 32 starts.

“The team is going well, so I can’t complain,” said Williams.

One of his recent placegetters was Shades Of Silk, who lines up in the Tasmanian Horse Transport Pace (2090m).

The Lather Up gelding was runner-up to Seriously Sam in the $20,000 Sinbad Bay in Hobart on Tasmania Cup night when sent out as a $101 chance.

“He has had a few problems and has been going a bit rough on the last corner, so hopefully, I have that sorted now, and he went good last start.

“He is a nice horse. He has just got to get his head right and his confidence up, and he will be right,” said the trainer-driver.

The Williams stable will be represented by two runners, Donny In Paris and Debt Till We Part (pictured) in the Smithawards Pace (2090m).

“I sort of drive Donny and let others drive Milo (Debt To Will Part), and he seems to go well for other drivers.

“I hope they go as well as they did when they last clashed when they ran second and third,” Williams said about their last clash on 7 March, with both horses having two races since.

Williams expects Donny In Paris to figure in the finish from a good draw.

“He has drawn one, so he won’t have to do a lot of work, and he has a bit of speed there and should be up there with them (at the finish).

Jacob Duggan will take the drive on Debt Till We Part.

“He keeps fronting up each week and gives it a good crack.

“He should go alright again,” the trainer said.

The seven-race card commences at 17:25.

Meanwhile, the Hobart meeting scheduled for Friday, 11 April, has been moved from a night meeting to an afternoon fixture. Race times will be released when the fields are released on Tuesday. It is expected that the meeting will be conducted from 13:03 to 17:28.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Duncan Dornauf, for Tasracing