Racing: Decisions loom on Jewels

Alderbeck is the less likely of the two Phil Williamson-trained runners to line up in the 3yr-old...
Alderbeck is the less likely of the two Phil Williamson-trained runners to line up in the 3yr-old ruby division of the Harness Jewels at Cambridge on June 4. PHOTO: MATT SMITH
Phil Williamson will decide in the next week whether he has one runner or two at the Harness Jewels at Cambridge next month.

Williamson has Blazing Under Fire (eighth) and Alderbeck (11th) in the top 12 for the 3yr-old ruby trotting division of the Harness Jewels, but it looks likely Blazing Under Fire will be the sole representative for the Totara horseman.

Williamson and the connections of Alderbeck will make a call on the filly's Jewels prospects after she races at Addington on Friday night.

‘‘I'm still thinking we won't go with her,'' Williamson said yesterday.

‘‘I haven't withdrawn her but we've got her in at Addington this week and [will] probably make a decision after that.''

While the pacing divisions are split by sex, the trotters feature the best in each age-grade regardless of sex.

‘‘I know she'll probably get enough money to go up and back [$2200 for every trotter placed sixth or worse] and it pays for itself, but there's not much point going up for a good eighth.

‘‘That's not the way I like to do it. I like to think we can be a wee bit competitive - especially when you know before you leave home that four fillies beat her in the Oaks and at least five colts would beat her. You need a miracle to get money.''

While the Jewels might be a bridge too far for Alderbeck, Williamson could not be happier with the Pegasus Spur filly's three wins and two minor placings from seven starts this season.

Her only other unplaced start other than the fifth in the New Zealand Trotting Oaks was a tough fourth on debut at Roxburgh in January.

‘‘She's going great but it's just that they're so good and you have to realise how good they are. You're better off putting her aside and coming back and maybe racing at [New Zealand] Cup time in her own grade.''

Blazing Under Fire is already in the North Island, and won at Alexandra Park on Friday night in the hands of Williamson's oldest son, Nathan.

‘‘He'll go as long as everything stays right in the next month or so,'' Williamson said.

‘‘We're just going to keep racing him up there. He's going to race this weekend. He's qualified and he's up there, so we'll go to the Jewels with him.''

Regardless of whether Williamson has one or two runners at the Jewels, both of them have to get past Marcoola, who is sweeping all before him in this year's 3yr-old class.

Williamson knows a thing or two about a smart Sundon trotter, and he describes the Ken Ford-trained colt as ‘‘super good''.

‘‘He's definitely an open-class horse of the future,'' he said.

‘‘Every year there's a couple and this year it's him. He's definitely got the wood on everything else. As long as he stays sound, the Fords are going to have a great ride with him.''

Springbank Eden returned to work yesterday to slowly work up to a spring campaign, Williamson said.

Add a Comment