What The Hill produces winning brace at Headquarters

The first New Zealand harness racing crop of trotting sensation What The Hill were to the fore on Thursday night (May 25.) Addington Raceway with a brace of winners on the ten race programme.

The countries leading sire of three-year-old trotters extended his lead with exciting prospects, Krackaling and What The Belle delivering on their potential to clear their maiden status. They were his seventh and eighth individual winners respectively in the 2023 season. 

First to get the job done was the Brad Williamson trained and driven Krackaling with the daughter of former G1 winning Bettor’s Delight mare Donegal Bettorgretch, producing an all the way win in the first on the card. 

Krackaling was twice placed as a juvenile last season before going a miss and being tipped out prior to the end of year fillies features, but showed more than enough in her three starts at two to suggest she wouldn’t be long in producing a race day win. 

“She placed in some two-year-old races Nigel and had a bit of break and come back, the juvenile form usually stacks up pretty well in a maiden trot,” said Williamson talking to Nigel Armstrong of Harness Racing Unhinged post-race. 

“I think she is quite a nice trotter this girl who should win a few races. It’s a credit to Gary (Preston) and it’s my job to put it together on the track,” he said. 

Williamson was proudly sporting the ‘All Things Harness” syndicate colours with the brainchild of the successful ownership, Gary Preston, on track to celebrate in the spoils. 

“It came about four or five years ago and it’s about trying to get people to the races to experience the thrill you get winning a race,” said Preston. 

“Myself and a couple of friends sat down one night and had a drink and they developed from there. We have close to 150 owners with about 60% of them being first time owners. We don’t really have a sales pitch. Brad and I have been purchasing a couple each year from the sales and we do our homework, we get around the yearling inspections at Christchurch and the Southern Bred Southern Reared Tour which is a great place to go and view them. 

“I am probably in front of the tablet or laptop every second day sending emails and communications to owners. There is a bit of work involved communicating with everyone, but I just love it. I love talking to people about horses and I love the animal. 

“I have seven horses currently with Brad, and some nice ones as well. The first horse we syndicated was Cracker Hill. We predominantly have trotters but I don’t mind the pacers as well. Brad is a tremendous young man who does a great job,” he said. 

Krackaling trotted the 1980m journey in a time of 2:31.3 from the mobile. The decisive five and three quarter length victory was secured with a last mile of 2:02.9 off the front and closing sectionals of 58.9 and 29.5. 

KRACKALING REPLAY

Race six saw the equally promising and equally lightly raced Mark Jones trained gelding, What The Belle, capitalise on a beautiful Sam Ottley steer to storm home down the outside of the Addington straight and reel in several race winners en route to victory. 

The blue blooded Trevor Casey bred and owned three-year-old is a half-brother to former superstar Stent, and looks to have inherited plenty of the Belle Galleon family ability. 

“He’s still only a baby really Nigel. It’s only his fourth start and he is a maiden taking on race winners so he has done very well,” said Ottley speaking with Armstrong post-race. 

I was actually really annoyed with myself last start, it wasn’t one of my best drives but he still ran on very well. 

“At this stage he is showing all the right signs and has a lot of the high speed that the family seems to have so hopefully he can keep ticking on from here,” she said.

 For high profile industry participant, Trevor Casey, winning races at Addington is not something he is a stranger too. What The Belle ended a bit of a dry spell for the ‘Lone Star’ colours, but the one and a quarter length victory suggests it won’t be long between visits to the winning owners bar in future. 

WHAT THE BELLE REPLAY

“It’s been a bit of a quiet time. We have a few young ones coming up, but this one goes pretty good,” said Casey. 

“We chose What The Hill for the mare because it was fresh semen, he is by Muscle Hill, has a great pedigree and Belle Galleon was getting on. This is the second to last foal I have bred from her and I have a full sister called Tinkerbelle and both of them look like they are going to be quite smart. 

“It’s the end of Belle Galleons career, she has been a fantastic broodmare and left a champion in Stent. If this fella can do half the job I will be more than happy,” he said. 

What The Bell trotted the 2000m stand in a time of 2:35.2 with a last mile of 2:04.8 with the last 800m in 59.0 and last quarter in 29.4. 

For complete race results, click here.

by Brad Reid, for Harnesslink