A ‘Brad’ day at Winton

Brad was a name carrying success at the Winton Harness Racing Club’s meeting at Central Southland Raceway yesterday.

When Sporty Charlie (Sportswriter) won the Marley NZ Mobile Pace it was the first race win for driver Brad Morris since Crackamoa won at Wyndham in November 2016.

SPORTY CHARLIE REPLAY

The win was also a return to winning form for the six year old gelding who last won for Colin and Julie De Filippi at Addington in November 2022.

It was successful day for North Otago trainer Brad Williamson as he continued his good run with Tabasco (Bettor’s Delight) returning to winning form in the Mico Mobile Pace.

TABASCO REPLAY

“I was very happy with him today. It was probably one of his better runs. He’s been a wee bit out of form lately, but he’s been racing in Country Cup races and has been can canning away so the mobile helped today. He still had to be pretty good with the amount of work he did early,” Williamson said.

In the next race, the MM Brands Handicap Trot, the Brad Williamson trained Domination’s Call (Trixton) capped off some consistent form with a good win which broke the track record.

Sam Ottley and Spells Of Love had the handlebars down and opened up a big lead early before dropping out, whilst Kerryn Tomlinson settled back with Domination’s Call before powering home to win by two and three quarter lengths.

DOMINATION’S CALL REPLAY

“I thought Kerryn drove a ten out of ten race. I was pleased she didn’t move, I was thinking wait, wait, wait, because I thought it was going to be a race for swoopers.”

The winning time of 2-59.8 broke Jen Jaccka’s 2017 all comers record of 3-00.9.

The seven year old was bred and is owned by Ray and Joan Scott.

“Ray and Joan have been great owners of mine for many many years. He gets a big thrill every time this horse wins and he’s also involved in the ownership of Tabasco.”

Williamson also had success driving Lil Whip (Father Patrick) for Tyler Dewe in the Buteline Handicap Trot.

LIL WHIP REPLAY

“She was placed in a Listed race in Canterbury for Regan Todd (Harness Million Two Year Old Mobile Trot). She didn’t quite trot so well on the grass at Gore but got it right today and won quite impressively with a little bit in hand.”

Yesterday’s two wins for Williamson took his tally to seven for the new season.

“The team is going quite well at the moment. I think the change of scenery by being at Cromwell over the summer has helped.”

Earlier in the day Williamson’s stable employee Kerryn Tomlinson scored her first win as a trainer when Dare Devil (Sweet Lou) won the Rheem Mobile Pace by three quarters of a length.

DARE DEVIL REPLAY

“Very happy for Kerryn. Her horse went really well. She’s had her issues with him with a heart fib and a virus. It was a drop back in grade for him.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink