Racing: Williams to add to tally

Kylie Williams has several big hopes among her rides at Ashburton today. Photo by Matt Smith.
Kylie Williams has several big hopes among her rides at Ashburton today. Photo by Matt Smith.
Kylie Williams has wasted no time getting back into the groove of race-day riding.

The Canterbury rider returned to the saddle last month after giving birth to her third child, Rhiarn, in February and has already collected four wins.

Williams, who has won more than 600 races in the saddle, is a contender to add at least one or two more to her tally at the final South Island thoroughbred meeting of the season at Ashburton today.

"It's not too bad - I'd prefer to be at home, but it doesn't pay the bills sitting on the couch,'' Williams joked.

Those bills might get a kickalong in race 1, when she gets aboard Laaffaire - a last-start winner at the same track on July 8.

"She was out of her grade last start and did it pretty easy,'' she said.

"The only thing tomorrow is the track is going to be a lot firmer than it was last start, but I think on her ability in that field, she'll be hard to beat.''

The Iffraaj mare won in rating 75 company last start and stays in the same grade, albeit with a 3kg weight penalty.

"She definitely likes it heavier, but with the weight and being drawn 2... if she holds her form, she's going be the one to beat.''

Williams opted for Laaffaire as her best chance, but has a strong steer for punters in race 3, a 1200m maiden.

She rides Seamstress, a 3yr-old daughter of Pins who was impressive in winning at the Rangiora trials on July 5.

"She's got a few tendencies to be a bit naughty... but she behaved pretty well at the trials and never left third gear,'' Williams said.

"She flew the gates and was in front easy. As long as she behaves herself and does everything right, she'll be very hard to beat.''

Both Laaffaire and Seamstress are trained at Ashburton by Jan Hay, as is Jack's Run who is at the top of the weights in the $15,000 1400m open handicap.

The rising 7yr-old does not win out of turn, returning at the head of the field only five times from 47 starts, but he meets a small open handicap field and pleased Williams with his fifth in the open sprint at Oamaru.

"I was actually really impressed with his run last start with the hood off,'' she said.

"It's probably the nicest he's raced for a long time and he did hit the line. I think over the 1400m with the blinkers off, the way he ran last start he's got to be a good show.''

Hou La La (race 2) is a a "sneaky place chance'', as is Vantaa (race 7), but Williams said it was up to Pinzano to perform in the rating 75 1200m (race 4).

"She either wins pretty impressively or goes terrible,'' Williams said.

She had ability but did not always race up to expectations.

Add a Comment