NZ HARNESS NEWS
It was 32 years in the making, but Brent Williams now has a winner as harness trainer on his resume.
The dual-code farrier, who has previously prepared winners in the thoroughbred game, first lined a standardbred up in 1986.
He’s only taken a handful of harness horses to the races in that time and the win of I’ldoitmyway at Rangiora on Sunday was his first from just 45 career starters.
John Morrison did the driving on the Sundon mare which had previously had three trainers, most recently Amber Hoffman in Waikouaiti.
“She was hitting herself pretty bad just below the knee and she had a lump there like a golf ball, and Amber mentioned she was about ready to sack her,” said Williams.
“I said to Amber I wouldn’t mind having a go if she ever finished with her as I could see some potential there.
“Nothing came of it that day but a short time later, Todd Quate (a family relation) rang to say they were finishing up and Peter agreed to lease her to me.”
After a bit of trial and error, Williams now has her trotting better and restriction-free.
One race later, Robert Dunn rounded off a tough weekend with a win when Huey Lewis got the chocolates.
Dunn, and his family – including fellow trainer and brother Geoff as well as sons Dexter and John – lost his brother Brian suddenly on Saturday morning, aged just 59.
Dexter has been on a tear in America recently, driving eight winners in the past week in locations such as Pennsylvania, Kentucky and New Jersey.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
