By Tayler Strong
The night belonged to leading junior driver Brad Williamson at Forbury Park on Thursday.
Williamson drove three winners – his own horse Winners Shout; Elusive Flight in the race for junior drivers and 55 to one chance Caesar Rocks.
The 21-year-old has made a one-horse race of the junior drivers premiership this season with 60 wins, 29 clear of his nearest rival, Kyle Marshall. Williamson has made the most of his opportunities in his final season as a junior.
Elusive Flight and Laughing Cavalier were impressive winners when making their first race appearances in new ownership from the stable of Graeme Anderson, who trains on the beach at Westwood.
Elusive Flight started from the outside of the front line (nine) at the mobile gate, settled ninth, went to the front at the 1200m in the 2200m and won by four and a quarter lengths. He had not won a race for two years.
The 7yr-old was bought four weeks ago by Charlotte Purvis from Steve Allen, a fellow employee of the Phil Williamson stable. She felt a change of scenery would invigorate Elusive Flight. Charlotte took Tony Gow, Ray Chalklin and Stephen Pulley, clients of the Anderson stable, into the ownership. Elusive Flight is the first racing venture for Purvis (22), who has switched from beauty therapy to pursue a career in harness racing.
Laughing Cavalier was bought by Chalkin after joining the Anderson stable two months ago.
Anderson was keen on the purchase as Laughing Cavalier is a half brother by Mach Three to Yokozuna, who won eight races from 17 starts when trained by Anderson and Amber Hoffman. Yokozuna (by Dream Away) began racing with a win at
Forbury Park in July 2010 as a 7yr-old. Laughing Cavalier, a 5yr-old, had his other win at Forbury Park in May last year in 30 starts when trained by Hamish Hunter for breeder Graham Cooney. Chalklin has won with Highview Illusion, trained by Anderson.
He also raced the galloper Anzac Star, who won 10 before he was destroyed after an accident in the starting gates. Dexter Dunn allowed Laughing Cavalier to find his feet early and settled second last in an 11-horse field. He improved three wide from the 1000m, led at the 600m and won by a length and a half.
Williamson races Winners Shout with Grant Gray, of Invercargill. The Great Success gelding has won them two races from six starts.
Caesar Rocks, who came from last of 11 at the 400m, is owned and trained at Omakau by Lionel Sinnamon. He had a third at long odds with his other horse Bully’s Princess in race 2.
Dreamcoat, who was gifted to Ashburton owner-trainer, Chris Morrison, cleared maiden ranks when driven by son John Morrison. The 6yr-old Extreme Three gelding was given to Chris Morrison by Kerry O’Reilly last July after three minor placings when trained by Kerry and later his brother, Leo. Kerry felt Dreamcoat would be ideal for John to gain experience as a junior driver in his first season. John has also been training as a farrier with Kerry.
Daryl Trainor, the Forbury Park owner-trainer, gave the credit to horseman Jonny Cox after the win of Be Me.
The only work Be Me had done since his previous race six days earlier was 20 minutes jogging on Thursday morning.
“Jonny advised me not to work him during the week after he drove him to finish third at Invercargill and I followed his instructions,” said Trainor, vice-president of the Forbury Park club.
Missy Mach was claimed for $7500 by club committee member Maureen Simpson. The claim was decided by ballot with nine claims for Missy Mach. The 6yr-old mare, winner of five races for Martin Denton, finished fourth to Be Me. Simpson’s son, Darryn, is the new trainer.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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