12 December 2022 | Duncan Dornauf for Tasracing
Concession reinsman Kayleb Williams tasted his most significant win in the sulky when Just Tiger scored in the Tasmanian Horse Transport Tasmanian Guineas in Hobart on Sunday night.
There were plenty of concerns for the $3.20 favourite when he broke soon after the start before getting quickly back down to a pace.
“He has a record of doing it, but he just gets scared when horses are banging and clanging around him, it’s just something he has to get used to,” said Williams post-race.
He then had to avoid some more trouble on the first turn when another runner went into a gallop causing several runners to be checked.
Williams positioned the Betterthancheddar gelding into the one-out one-back position at the 1300m before making a move to the pegs near the 600m.
“Down the back, there was a few on the pegs dropping out and the leader was still trailing, and as I had done a bit of work, I elected to go to the leader’s back, and it worked out well in the end.
“He let down really well in the straight, and it certainly was a good win late,” explained the winning driver.
Just Tiger defeated the leader Mayleejae Eagle by 1.6m, with Sports Illustrator a further 1.3m away third in a mile rate of 2m 2.1s for 2090m.
Williams has been driving in outstanding form this season, with 29% of his drives filling the top three placings.
Just Tiger is trained by Kristy Butler, who indicated post-race that the three-year-old will head to the spelling paddock and be given a chance to mature, as she believes the gelding will make a really nice horse with age.
She also indicated the pacer would be aimed at next season’s Raider Stakes after being placed in the Globe Derby last month.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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