Darren DeFilippi Memorial special for Williamson

The Darren DeFilippi Memorial on Friday night at Addington is a race all junior drivers in the South Island aspire to win and it carries special significance for Oamaru horseman Matthew Williamson.

“It’s got a terrific history and a great stake this year. It’s a very sought after race so it’s cool to have one in it,” Williamson who trains Princess Sadie (Muscle Mass) said.

As a junior driver Williamson won back to back Darren DeFilippi Memorials in 2011, 2012 and 2013.

“I had a very lucky run in it so here’s hoping I can go as well from the training side.”

The four year old mare has had four starts this campaign, winning twice and running second in her other two runs.

At her last start three weeks ago Princess Sadie led and was run down and beaten by a half a neck by One Mhor For Heather.

“She’s just been sitting waiting on this race. She always operates well fresh so it’s worked out well that we’ve been able to space her runs a bit.”

Princess Sadie with most of the capacity field will start off the twenty metre mark and will be handled by stable junior Hayden Douglas.

“She flew away at her last start so touch wood the start won’t be an issue and it’ll be just about Hayden plotting a course from there. It’s a pretty strong field and it’s pretty even. She wouldn’t want to do a power of work but if she could get a half decent trip I expect to be right there.”

The memorial race is run in memory of Darren de Filippi who was the son of Colin and Julie DeFilippi. He won fourteen races as a junior driver and was nineteen when he tragically died in a road accident returning home from the Ashburton races in 1995.

For Friday’s race Princess Sadie will be accompanied north by Geraldine Clowers (Creatine) and Jordan Anne (Pegasus Spur).

Geraldine Clowers fronts up in Race Three and the three year old filly draws one from behind the mobile.

“It was a much improved effort at her last start and I was really happy with her the other day. From the one draw I’d like to think she’d be a good place chance.”

Jordan Anne was beaten by Holly Highlanders last Friday and she draws wide at eight in Race Eight.

“She’s super consistent. She’s drawn out a wee bit but she’s always a top three chance in these sorts of grades.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink