Williamson claims seventh Trotting FFA

Today (Jan. 2) Hurricane Hill (Muscle Hill) enhanced a great harness racing record already held by Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson in the $18,350 Central Otago Trotting FFA.

Since the race’s inception in 2008 he’s taken it out seven times. His previous winners were Springbank Sam (Sundon) in 2013, 2014 and 2016, Monty Python (Pegasus Spur) 2017, Alderbeck (Pegasus Spur) 2018, and Majestic Man (Majestic Son) 2019. The race wasn’t held in 2020 and 2021.

In today’s trotting feature driver Matty Williamson couldn’t have plotted a better trip, as he tucked the much improved six year old in the trail behind pacemaker Time Up The Hill. Turning in, only three horses had a chance of taking out the feature – Time Up The Hill, Hurricane Hill and Five Wise Men. Williamson drove Hurricane Hill up the inside and came away to win by two and a quarter lengths from Five Wise Men, with Time Up The Hill a half a head back in third. It was a trifecta for Muscles Yankee stallion Muscle Hill.

The time of 2-24.4 broke Sundees Son’s race and track record of 2-25.6 set in last years FFA. The time was also a new New Zealand record, bettering I Can Doosit’s previous New Zealand record of 2-25.0 recorded in 2012. 

HURRICANE HILL REPLAY

Owned by Roydon Lodge and Keith and Rob Gibson, Hurricane Hill has now won five of his last seven races for Williamson.

“He’s definitely stepped up a bit. He’s going the right way and he’s a pretty good horse now. Racing’s just improved him,” he said.

Williamson says the gelding has appreciated time away from the racetrack.

“He’s looking fantastic. He had a few months off running on the hills before we got him and that’s helped him.”

So what’s next for this up and coming trotter?

“There’s been a bit of buyer interest in him and if that doesn’t come to anything he’ll just continue to race. He’s in a position now where our options are pretty limited because he’ll be racing from right out the back door (long handicaps) down home or taking on the top line horses. But in saying that he would be capable of footing it with them. We’ve arrived at the big time so it’ll be interesting to see whether he can keep doing it.”

Hurricane Hill races in the famous McKenzie/Roydon Lodge colours and he’s the second horse Williamson has trained for the Lodge. The other was Deidre’s Flash which won the 2009 PGG Wrightson New Zealand Yearling Sales Two Year Old Trot at Addington.

Earlier in the day Williamson quinellaed Race Six with favourite Our Golden Kenny (Love You) beating stablemate Our Pinocchio.

Father Patrick trotting mare Mixed Faith trained by Phil’s son Brad Williamson was also in record breaking form. Her time for the 2600 metre stand of 3-16.5 bettered Lady Segil’s mares record of 3-21.7 and the all comers record of 3-20.4 set by Playboy’s Brother. 

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart for Harnesslink