Bits and Bridles

Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson is currently breaking in six weanling trotters and the harness racing horseman says he’s got three in particular showing potential.

The first is an unnamed What The Hill filly out of Sundon mare Yukon Quest making her a half sister to Funky Monkey (17 wins).

“She’s a lovely filly and I’m looking forward to her developing further. She broke in with a bit of quality,” Williamson said.

He’s also got time for an unnamed Majestic Son filly out of thirteen win Pegasus Spur mare Alderbeck. Alderbeck was placed in the G3 Canterbury Park Trotting Cup and the G3 Four and Five Year Old Trotting Championship.

“Her mother didn’t race until she was three but I’m sure this filly will put her hand in the til.”

The third weanling is an unnamed Majestic Son colt out of six win Sundon mare Dwindle Mist, making him a full brother to Harry Stamper (12 wins).

“He’s a beautiful trotter. Whether he’s got his (Harry Stamper) attitude will be the thing. He’s definitely got everything else. He’s lovely gaited and has a nice spring in his step.”

Two year old trotting filly Habibti Pat (Father Patrick) was an impressive two and a quarter length winner at Addington last night.

Trained by Greg and Nina Hope, Habibti Pat was given the perfect trip behind leader Massive Merc by Blair Orange. Once the pair reached the straight Orange let his filly run up the passing lane to win easily with the removeable deafeners still in place.

Habibti Pat is raced by her breeders Julie and Sasha Maghzal.

Her dam Habibti Ivy (Love You) trained by Paul Nairn was also raced by the Maghzals. She won nine races, with Orange in the cart for eight of her wins. She had Group success in the New Zealand Trotting Oaks, the Four and Five Year Old Trotting Championship, the Anzac Cup and DG Jones Trotting Cup.

Habibti Pat is Habibti Ivy’s second foal.

Hidden Talent (Bacardi Lindy) and possibly Rise Up N Dance (Art Major) will kick off the second half of the season for Southland trainer Nathan Williamson at Gore on Thursday.

Both finished second at the Gore Workouts today (Saturday) in preparation for their resumption.

Hidden Talent came home nicely to run second to stablemate Joeking in her 2200 metre stand heat.

“We’re happy with her. She’s got a bit of a skin condition, and we had to shave all her coat off. Joeking and Flying Without Wings will go to another workout,” Williamson said.

Rise Up N Dance wasn’t pushed to get close to Dreamalittledream in his 2200 metre mobile heat.

“He seems forward enough to race. He’s matured a lot. I’ll talk to the owners before we decide on whether we run at Gore.”

Junior driver Ollie Kite will drive both horses.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink