By Mac Henry
Alley Way will start the season as the tightest assessed trotter in Phil Williamson’s barn.
That honour had been the domain of Springbank Sam until his sale in June. The former Jewels and Rowe Cup runner-up is in the United States now and recently finished third in his first outing there.
The sale of Springbank Sam was one of the factors considered by Alley Way’s part-owner and former trainer Neville Skinner when choosing to transfer the Monarchy – No Way gelding to Williamson early in August. Another was that Williamson’s son Matthew was his regular driver and aboard when Alley Way ran third in the Rowe Cup and second in the Dominion last year.
“I sent him to Phil because he is the leading trotting trainer and Springbank Sam has gone,” Skinner said, “and because of Matthew. He’d had seven weeks jogging and I could tell in the sixth week he was back to his old self.”
Williamson confirmed Alley Way was ready for fast work on his arrival and is pleased with the way he has progressed.
“He’s a lovely big horse and looking magnificent,” Williamson said. “He’ll go to the Oamaru trials next month and hopefully be ready for the Dominion, that’s the plan.”
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