Williamson heads North

Oamaru harness racing trainer Phil Williamson loves a trip north.

It’s always an opportunity for him to get a true gauge on where his horses fit among some of the better trotters and this time round, a chance to get some runs on the board without having to chase the all-conquering Muscle Mountain, (Muscle Hill) who’s staying at home.

On Friday night he has trotters Love N Port (Love You) and Majestic Man (Majestic Son) entered in the $45,000 Group Two Waikato Flying Mile at Cambridge Raceway.

Love N Port last started on January 19^th winning the Pryde Easifeed Southern Lights at Ascot Park while Majestic Man’s last run was in the Australian Trotters Grand Prix at Melton on March 25^th where he bled, and was subsequently stood down from racing.

“He’s come home and had time to get over that. He didn’t bleed outwardly, he bled internally so I don’t think it was as serious as some were led to believe. He’s worked up well and I’m happy enough with him,” Williamson said.

Friday night’s race has attracted nine runners with Majestic Man drawing the outside marble.

“It isn’t ideal, but he’s earned that spot (preferential draw). If we can get any sort of run he’s got the quality to be hard to beat.”

Majestic Man runs his best races by getting to the front, but Williamson says barrier eight will make it harder and he’ll leave the early decision making up to his son Brad.

“Brad has driven him 95% of the time so he knows the horse and he’ll make the call on what he’s thinking when they leave the gate. He’s certainly got the speed to go out, but running from the outside probably means you’re doing a wee bit.”

Williamson’s second runner Love N Port, is one of the least experienced runners in the race.

“He just has to have some runs against these types of horses to harden up and see where he fits in the mix. I think he can run good races in the next month or so and put his hand in the til before he gets home but he’s on a learning curve and sometimes you need a season of racing to get to that level.”

The months of April and May provide Williamson with a number of high stake options for both trotters with the Lyall Creek on 21^st April, National Trot 28^th April, Anzac Cup 19^th May and Rowe Cup on the 26^{th of} May.

“If he (Love N Port) can come on from his last campaign he could run a good race in the likes of a Rowe Cup,” Williamson said, adding, “He’s been working well at home and he’s come back as good as he was last campaign. It’s a quality wee field this week and a mile may not be his forte, but I expect him to race well.”

Williamson has a great record in the Waikato Flying Mile, winning with Allegro Agitato in 2005 and 2006, One Over Kenny in 2007 and Majestic Man in 2020.

The race record of 1-55.0 is held by last year’s winner Muscle Mountain.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink