Racing: Consistent Williamson can add to top tally

Pyramid Magic is the best of Phil Williamson's three runners at Forbury Park tonight. Photo by...
Pyramid Magic is the best of Phil Williamson's three runners at Forbury Park tonight. Photo by Matt Smith.

There might not be a One Over Kenny or a Springbank Richard floating around Phil Williamson's Totara stables right now.

But what there seems to be is consistency in spades.

Williamson has prepared 19 individual winners this season for 47 wins, eclipsing his previous best of 46 wins set in the 2006-07 season.

And with more than two months of the season left, there is plenty of time for him to crack 50 wins or more, starting with his three runners at Forbury Park tonight.

Williamson was happy to hear how many different trotters had returned at the head of the field for his stable this season - "I wouldn't be arguing with you statisticians'' - but said a competitive team across the board had made a difference.

"We've been happy with how they've been gone.

"We're probably void of a real top-notcher, but the ones we're racing are really competitive in their grade.''

Of those 19 winners, 12 have recorded multiple wins meaning there are plenty of satisfied owners.

"That's the name of the  game. With every horse, we are trying to keep the owners happy with them and get them something back for their investment and something to watch racing competitively.''

Williamson's youngest son, Brad, will take the drive on Danielle Amore in race 1, continuing a plan which was set in place at the start of the season in conjunction with middle son Matthew.

"When Matt said he'd basically step down and let Brad have first choice of the horses, that was huge for Brad.

"It's his last season as a junior, so it was good of [Matt] to do it, and Brad's taken the opportunity well.''

Brad is now on 63 wins for the season and has an unassailable lead in the junior drivers' premiership, well clear of Kyle Marshall on 32 wins.

Danielle Amore is by the trotting stallion of the moment, Love You, but Phil Williamson is cautious of getting too excited about the 3yr-old filly on debut.

"We had trials today and the next lot weren't for a month, so I made the decision that she might as well be learning at the races rather than going round with a couple at the trials,'' he said.

"I'm not expecting anything too flamboyant at this stage. Her manners are fairly good, and if she finished top-five, I would be happy with that.''

Matthew Williamson will take the drives on Pyramid Magic (race 5) and Hustle Hill (race 7).

Phil Williamson rates Pyramid Magic as the best of his three runners tonight, despite being "a little bit erratic'' since starting a new campaign in March.

"He's been a little bit disappointing, but in saying that, he's got up to a tough enough mark. He's always a runner's chance,'' he said.

The 5yr-old galloped when in contention for a place at Forbury Park last week.

"He's a bit of a clown at that, but hopefully he doesn't do it tomorrow.''

Hustle Hill (race 7) is on the hunt for a second win before he heads to the paddock to spell. He was 10th, 11 lengths off the winner Spotlight The Valley last week, and is a chance if he lands closer to the speed.

"His last run was a little disappointing but I'm expecting better tomorrow,'' Williamson said.

"He's kind of a big kid at the moment. He's a bit of a learning horse, he's only 3 and if we can get one more win out of him, he can go to the paddock, so we're going to have a start or two and try and get that.''

 


Tips from the talent

Rory McIlwrick:
Laughing Cavalier (Race 8, No 10)

Matthew Williamson:
Hustle Hill (Race 7, No 12)

Cran Dalgety:
Lightning Mach (Race 9, No 9)

Nathan Williamson:
Pegarose (Race 7, No 2)

Brad Williamson:
Ossessione (Race 3, No 6)

 


Williamson's wonder year
The numbers for 2015-16:

47 - winners (previous best 46)
19 - individual winners
12 - horses with multiple victories
5 - most wins (Pyramid Monarch, Springbank Eden).
3270 - Williamson's UDR (strike rate)

 


 

 

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