Racing: New driving tactics could be key

Heard The Whisper, who races for new owners including club president Gerald Cayford at Forbury...
Heard The Whisper, who races for new owners including club president Gerald Cayford at Forbury Park tonight. Photo by Matt Smith.
Heard The Whisper has had a change of ownership and expect a change in driving tactics at Forbury Park tonight as well.

The 4yr old, who has been on punters' radars since he qualified in good time at Oamaru last July, was bought by Forbury Park president Gerald Cayford and friends Gary Fyfe and Brian Bennett in the past week.

The gelding was owned by his breeder, Bev Williamson, whose husband, Phil Williamson, will continue training the horse for the new owners.

The trio, along with Brent Lucas, also bought Davey's Gift from Michael and Craig Ward. The 6yr old will also remain at the Williamsons' stables at Totara.

Phil Williamson has plenty of time for the full brother to group 1 winner Irish Whisper, and is hoping for early success for Heard The Whisper's new owners.

Heard The Whisper had to burn extra petrol to run third at Oamaru on January 8, after his debut at Omakau was snuffed out by an early check. Williamson, who takes the drive tonight in race 1, will be taking his time with the talented trotter.

''He was a bit of a victim of circumstances. I had decided to go forward when I thought they were going slow.

''When I got round, the parked horse wouldn't let me cross, so I had to burn to cross. He was probably run a wee bit upside down at the end of it,'' Williamson said.

''Kept for one run is what we'll be doing . . . We'll just settle in and hopefully we'll be somewhere within a reasonable distance from them and hopefully he can run past most of them up the straight.''

Davey's Gift (race 6) starts off 20m in the feature trot in his debut for his new owners. If he trots the whole way, he is capable of overcoming his eight rivals.

''He's won at Forbury before in pretty good time, so he can get around there . . . I'd say he'd be a threat in that race if the manners are there.''

Williamson lines up four c1 trotters in race 3 but is leaning towards Chiola Belle.

''Her manners are a bit questionable, but she seems to be going better with the drop in class [from c2 to c1]. I'll single her out as her best chance in there.''

Williamson also has Monty Python in a $23,500 super series race at Addington tomorrow night and Southern Lights winner Springbank Sam in the group 3 Summer Trotting free for all.

''[Springbank Sam] seems pretty well _ we're hoping that he'll carry on where he left off at Invercargill.''

 

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