NZ HARNESS NEWS
Master trotting trainer Phil Williamson is taking a no excuse attitude toward the Inter Dominion series.
Williamson said Monty Python and Alderbeck have settled in well at Brent Lilley’s Bolinda stables, north of Melbourne.
“They have settled in well and it will come down to whether they are good enough or not.”
“It is going to be a bit of a test to see where they are at, neither of them have won a race for a long time.”
“But I am hopeful both of them will be able to run in the top five.”
Nine-year-old Monty Python, the old warrior of New Zealand trotting, looks set to thrive on the hard racing of the Inter Dominion series.
And if how he has settled in to his paddock in Victoria is anything to go by, he could be set to break his 21-month winless streak.
“He is pretty well here, his behaviour around the paddock indicates he is pretty well.
“We are hopeful he can give a good account of himself.”
Monty Python has drawn a tricky alley in his opening round heat at Melton on Saturday night – barrier five.
The horse is not known as a fast beginner, but has enough speed to put himself close to the pace.
Speeding Spur looks set to lead and win the 2240m event from barrier two.
Alderbeck has had a luckless spring and it is hoped she can turn that around across the Tasman.
“I think she has actually been going better than her results actually say,” Williamson said.
“In the Dominion, for mine, she should have run third.”
Alderbeck locked wheels with Ronald J when making a late run along the passing lane in Marcoola’s Dominion win.
Where Alderbeck lands in the middle stages could decide her fate in her first-round heat at Melton.
Despite talk to the contrary, Alderbeck in not a gate flyer.
She has drawn barrier 4 on what looks to be a very quick front line.
Williamson has been getting reacquainted with his former square-gaiter, Father Christmas, at Lilley’s stable.
He has driven the horse in trackwork this week and said the trotter was feeling well.
The half-brother to Monty Python is one of four square-gaiters Lilley has in the Interdominion trotting series.
They include Dominion runner-up Kyvalley Blur, Ourtwentyten and Enrolled.
- NZ Harness News
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
Driving The Future Of Harness Racing
