But then he took a second look.
Heavens Trend, the favourite for the $A185,000 3yr-old fillies final, is drawn immediately inside Luisanabelle Midfrew and should kick up to take the lead.
But to make matters worse for Williamson, the second favourite, Rocknroll Magic, has drawn 1 on the second line and should get the cold shot at her rivals in the home straight.
"When I saw [Heavens Trend] had drew 1, I was hoping something rank had drawn 1 in the second line, but no," Williamson said.
"So they’ll be hell bent on lead-trail, I’d say."
Williamson’s best chance of being in the mix is getting some early cover — perhaps from Whirily School (barrier 3), who showed gate speed when finishing third to Heavens Trend in last week’s semifinals.
Luisanabelle Midfrew finished fourth in her heat after leading up, but Williamson expects some improvement.
"She just went OK the other day," he said.
"She would have needed the run — she only got over there a week before and they hadn’t been able to do a lot with her so she should be a lot better with the run."
Barrier 2 will suit Our Waikiki Beach just fine, though.
The winner of 22 of his 23 starts should work to the lead and dominate his 3yr-old pacing colts and geldings division, and the $1.10 price with Australian bookmakers reflects the class he holds over his rivals.
The Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen-trained star is one of four Kiwi-trained favourites on the 10-race cards.
Wilma’s Mate was at $1.35 yesterday afternoon to win the 3yr-old trotting fillies final, Partyon was paying $1.75 to win the rich 2yr-old pacing fillies division, and Conon Bridge was at $2.50 in the 3yr-old trotting colts and geldings final.
Waikiki Beach’s stablemate Pacing Major has copped an awkward second-line draw in the $A280,000 2yr-old pacing colts and geldings final.
The scratching of the emergency, Scotlynn Beach, will move favourite Tingira Beach into barrier 1, allowing driver Lauren Tritton to dictate the tempo from the lead.
