Brad had a big day at the office

Everyone involved in harness racing knows that a driver is only as good in a lot of cases as the "cattle" he is driving.

Brad Williamson surely knows that after having a season that has been a struggle from go to whoa.

Unquestionably one of New Zealands most talented junior drivers, Brad has just had a perfect storm this season of reduced opportunities on horses who in a lot of cases were fighting an up hill battle.

Yesterday at Oamaru on his home track, Brad had just four drives all day but he showed yet again why he is so highly regarded by many astute judges when he steered home two winners and a second.

The first of his drives to earn a cheque was Kylie Castleton who after been locked away three back on the inner ran on well to claim second behind the runaway winner Star Commando.

Brad was all smiles after the race.

" I actually own that one so to grab second was a nice wee pay day"

" From where we were I was never going to beat the winner but she ran on really well and I was rapt with the run," Brad said.

Brad's next drive was Boomer Bailey who handled the step up in grade after his win at Timaru with real style.

" I only got the drive because Matthew had a prior commitment."

" He was hitting the stays right from the start and got really fired up."

" To sit parked the whole way and over race and still win was a huge effort.

" He is a horse with a future," Brad said.

Brad's third drive to earn a cheque was the stable runner Father Christmas who drew the outside of the second line.

After circling the field with a lap to go to sit outside the leader No Potato, it took Father Christmas every inch of the straight to get his nose in front of No Potato where it counted.

Brad was thrilled with the run.

" That is the best he has ever gone."

" To win from the outside of the second line was a huge performance."

" He had to win to make it into the Jewels so I drove him a lot more aggressively than normal and he surprised me how well he stuck on after the run he had," Brad said.

Those wins were a gentle reminder to trainers that Brad is one of the more talented junior drivers going around in New Zealand.

Harnesslink Media