By Duane Ranger
Sean McCaffrey isn’t too worried about Royal Willie’s mission to make the $100,000 Harness Jewels Final on their home track at Cambridge Raceway in 29 days.
“I think he will get in and I hope he does but he’s a different racehorse now than when he last raced at Alexandra Park in early February. He galloped for a long way that night and charged around like a mad bull.
‘We got him gelded immediately after that and he’s a bit more reserved now. He’s not as fit as what he could be and will need the race on Thursday, but we are hopeful of a good performance,” McCaffrey said.
Royal Willie was a beaten favourite last start and is again likely to line up one of the favourites in tonight’s (Thursday) third race at Cambridge Raceway – the Holmes and Company Cambridge Handicap for the C1 and faster trotters.
The 2200m stand is worth $6,500 and if Royal Willie can win he will make the final 12 for the Harness Jewels Grand Final. He has currently earned $10,200 this season and is ranked 15th. Twelfth-placed Lady Angus has amassed $11,165.
Royal Willie will be looking to join his stablemate, Lemond (ranked fifth) in the appropriately named Sovereignty Ruby Trot Final.
McCaffrey has placed several times in Jewels Finals, but it was the late Sovereignty that won his only Jewels crown in the same 3-year-old Ruby Final and on the same track on May 31, 2005.
McCaffrey and his training partner Ross Payne will be looking to crack their first Jewels title with the two 3-year-olds, as well as Yagunnakissmeornot (ranked fifth) in the $100,000 4yo Ruby Trot Final; and Norvic Ruby (11th) in the $150,000 4yo Pacing Diamond.
“If they all qualify they are gana have their work cut out beating the likes of Monbet, Marcoola and the good 4-year-old mares.
“’Willie’ will get his chance to qualify, if not on Thursday there’s still a meeting or two left before the Jewels cut-off,” McCaffrey said.
Royal Willie is yet to put his hoof in the till after two Cambridge starts but the Majestic Son gelding has won twice from eight attempts over the distance.
“He is disadvantaged because we haven’t been able to get a trial or workout into him since he was cut. He will get stronger with the race but whether he has the ability to win first-up is the head scratcher.
“He’s a very nice horse who has speed and courage – and that’s all you can really ask for in a trotter. He has a very bright future, but whether it is as a 3-year-old or not that is another question,” the Cambridge horseman said.
He might not have had trial opposition but Royal Willie did follow a hearse around Alexandra Park recently.
McCaffrey said he and Royal Willie attended Edwin Roy Davidson’s (ONZM) funeral at ‘The Park’ on April 30. He was 78 and was a part-owner of Royal Willie.
“We followed the hearse around the track. It was quite a special moment actually. Ed was a great man and will be fondly remembered, not only in harness racing, but more for his services to children with intellectual disabilities or complex special needs. He was deservedly awarded an Order Of New Zealand Merit,” McCaffrey said.
“Ed was a true gentleman, who gave so much of his time. He also had a share in Yagunnakissmeornot,” he added.
Toughest for Royal Willie to be Yogi Johnson (9), Primus Inter Pares (2), and Southland Reactor (12).
Royal Willie has won three of his 13 starts and ran second three other times for $21,423 in stakes.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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