Phil’s last central fling

Oamaru harness racing trainer Phil Williamson and his family have been coming to Central Otago to race horses and have a holiday for over thirty years.

And today (Jan. 5) he lines up eight trotters at the Wyndham meeting held in Cromwell, for the last day of the annual summer circuit.

“We’ve been coming for a racing holiday since the kids were young and Nathan’s thirty four now. Over the years they’ve had gymkhanas, trials and equalistator races,” Williamson said.

He’s trained a total of forty eight winners over the three courses – Omakau (25), Roxburgh (13) and Cromwell (10). 

The North Otago trainer trains trotters only, so he’ll be pleased to see the Wyndham HRC has four races for squaregaiters on it’s card – a first in my memory. 

Williamson’s summation of his runners are as follows:

Race One – Groovy L’Amour (Love You) which raced at Roxburgh on Wednesday but broke and ran sixth.

“She hasn’t been trotting as solid as she can. If she brings her best game she might be round about it.”

Race Three – Williamson has two runners including Wanna Play With Fire (Father Patrick) a first starter that’s been well drilled at trials and workouts. A half sister to six win trotter Wanna Play With Me.

“She has ability but lacks experience but I wouldn’t be surprised if she ran a nice race.”

His second starter is Contessa’s Pride (Majestic Son) which ran sixth at Roxburgh after breaking.

“I think she would have been hard to beat if she stayed trotting so she could be a winning chance.”

Race Seven – the stable has three runners including Pyramid Mystic (Love You), who ran seventh at her last start and was pulled up the start before. Prior to these runs her form was solid.

“We’ve taken the Murphy Blind off her. We were wondering if she was panicking and running away from the Murphy.”

Dwindle Star (Muscle Mass) has been uncharacteristically breaking but her last start second showed she may have broken the habit.

“That was more like what we expect from her. Sometimes they can have a run of outs and when they get back into form they’re away. If she gets away like she did the other day, get a nice trip, I’d say she’s a big chance in that race.”

His third runner Our Pinocchio (Bacardi Lindy) has the best form of the Williamson runners.

“He’s got quite a bit of ability and his manners are getting better. He went a good race the other day and if the same happens he must be a good chance.”

In the main trot of the afternoon the stable has a two prong attack.

Eight year old Jimmy Carter (The Pres) has finally trotted into form with two seconds in his last two starts.

“He’s been frustrating because he’s always had good ability. He brought his best manners the other day and I think he’s back to something like his best. When he’s at his best he can trot with those middle grade trotters. He won at this meeting last year.”

The likely favourite in Race Eleven Hurricane Hill (Muscle Hill) is in career best form, breaking a New Zealand record when winning the Trotting FFA at Omakau on Monday.

‘If he trots like he has been and there’s no reason to say he won’t, he’s obviously the one to beat. I don’t think the forty metres is too big an ask. It’s just about bringing his manners and continuing on that upward spiral. He’s a pretty handy horse.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink