Winning streak continues for Ultimate Stride

The winning streak of young trotter Ultimate Stride continued at Ascot Park yesterday.

The quality three year old was having only his second start back after injury forced him to miss most of his three year old season.

Driver Matthew Williamson took the Love You colt back early before getting into the one one. With 600 metres to run he changed up a few gears, hooked out and speared Ultimate Stride to the top, easily opening a massive gap in the field. He went down to the line to win by seven lengths.

“He got a perfect trip, so everything fell into place. He’s got great manners and he’s exciting,” said trainer Phil Williamson.

The time for the 2700 metre stand of 3-27.4 established a new track and Southland record, erasing The Fiery Ginga 2010 record of 3-30.6. The time was just 0.2 seconds outside the New Zealand record of 3-27.2 held by Heavyweight Hero.

So how does Williamson rate him?

“Nicest colt probably I’ve had but in saying that we did have Oscar Bonavena. He’s (Ultimate Stride) probably the best I’ve gone on with because we didn’t have Oscar for very long. There’s a bit of class there alright.”

Williamson says the short term plans are fairly simple.

“Keep the hell away from Brad (Son Brad Williamsons trotter Cracker Hill). We’re just on our own paths at the moment. It’ll be an exciting clash. It’s hard to believe you can have two such nice horses on the same property. I’m not keen on having a dual with him and he’s not that keen on having one with me either. If its $100,000 race it’ll be gloves off and see how it goes. At this stage we’re not going head to head for 10k.”

The two targets for both trotters will be the $85,000 PGG Wrightson Final at Alexandra Park on October 9th and the Haras des Trottuers Sires Stakes Championship at Addington on October 16th.

Ultimate Stride is out of the millionaire trotting mare One Over Kenny which won thirty two races. Bred by Lex and Heather Williams, One Over Kenny has been an outstanding broodmare. All of her seven foals of racing age have qualified and six have collectively won forty seven races. Her seventh foal One Over All is qualified, but unraced.

One Over Kenny’s best foal One Over Da Moon won twenty races.

Bruce Stewart