The Empire strikes back

It’s been a week full of emotion for Oamaru Harness Racing trainer Phil Williamson, a reminder of the highs and lows this industry can dish up.

The win of Empire City (Volstead) at Addington last night was a high. And following on from the low of the tragic loss of Isolate on Tuesday, the victory in the G2 Lone Star Sires Stakes Two Year Old Championship will go some way to shifting the focus for Williamson.

“You just have to turn the page on the disappointments and move to the next challenge. She wasn’t a human so it could have been worse,” Williamson said in reflecting on the loss of Isolate.

From barrier seven driver Nathan Williamson sparked up Empire City early and she took up the role of pacemaker.

“We’ve never really asked her for it (gate speed), but we’ve known it was there. We trialed her one day and she showed blazing gate speed.”

Inside the last 600 last night the two year old filly was travelling well with her ears going back and forth.

“She can be a little bit like that when she waits on them a bit. It could get her into trouble some day (laughter).”

Nathan just had to rein her up coming for home and she went down to the wire to win by two and a quarter lengths from Tyron Eros which charged home late.

“Nate said she won it pretty easy.”

It was the second time Williamson has won this race. Majestic Man was victorious in 2017.

Empire City’s next start will be in the G1 $110,000 KB Electrics Ace of Hearts at Addington on Sunday.

“I think there will be a couple of new ones in the race. Mark’s (Purdon) two year old (High Step) might be there. It’ll depend on the draw and you have to deal with what you get. But if she’s trailing, she’s got a good sprint on her. It’s exciting and she’s in with a royal show.”

Empire City is owned by Peter and Janet Argus of Auckland.

“I had a bit of a chat with them last night and they said they’d had horses for twenty to thirty years and never had anything like this. They’d been down to see their horses run but without much luck and said they’re probably being due a change.”

Empire City was entered in the 2022 sales but was withdrawn.

“Debbie (Smith) had a short term concern with the filly and the decision was made to withdrawn her because of it. I’m not sure whether Debbie recommended me to train the horse but I think that’s how it worked.”

Empire City’s third dam Chiola’s Lass is the mother of Allegro Agitato which won twenty two races for Williamson including the G1 NZ Trotting FFA, G1 NZ Trotting Championship and G1 National Trot.

Debbie and Mark Smith of Shard Farm are preparing a half-brother to Empire City by What The Hill for this February’s NZB Standardbred Yearling Sales in Christchurch.

“According to Debbie it’s a stunner.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink