By Jonny Turner
Some inspired advice helped Tim Williams produce a masterful drive that enabled Alta Wiseguy’s searing speed to carry him to victory in the Group 3 Central Otago Cup at Omakau yesterday.
The four-year-old started the new harness racing season off in style when powering past proven open class horses Laver and Classie Brigade for an impressive win for trainers Steve and Amanda Telfer.
Williams made a crucial decision in the middle stages when electing to remain three back on the inner, in what would often be considered a risky move on a warm favourite in any regular race.
But the reinsman’s move proved pinpoint after he presented Alta Wiseguy for his winning run before the home turn.
Williams revealed a crucial piece of advice from Steve Telfer played a part in his decision making.
“Steve said to me before the race drive him for his greatest asset – his high speed.”
Telfer enjoyed a day out in the southern sun while clinching a cup win after weeks of being locked down in Auckland.
During that time, it was Amanda Telfer who had Alta Wiseguy in the form of his career, as the pacer produced wins in the Yearling Sales Aged Classic and the Methven Green Mile in his spring and summer campaign under her care.
As his form has progressed so has the pacer’s racing manners, which now have him looking like the horse Steve Telfer always thought he could be.
“Amanda has done a super job with the team and with this horse.”
“I always liked him because he always had high speed but now he is he is getting a bit stronger.”
“And Tim is getting on really well with him.”
Though Alta Wiseguy has the open class world at his feet, Telfer said he and his sister would take a patient approach with the pacer during his four-year-old season.
The Omakau crowd cheered a champion in Sundees Son yesterday and the classy trotter produced the kind of performance that his fans expected from him.
First up following his record smashing Dominion win, Sundees Son powered away to score the easiest of victories over Andy Hall and The Dominator.
The good news for southern trotting fans is that they will get to see more of arguably the Southern Hemisphere’s greatest trotter.
Driver John Dunn confirmed Sundees Son would head to Ascot Park for his next assignment on Northern Southland Cup Day to contest the Group 3 Southern Lights Trot.
Driver Ellie Barron produced another of the more popular victories on a big day of racing at Omakau.
Two years after she performed life-saving CPR on Ricky May during his collapse at the last meeting run at the Omakau track, the reinswoman returned to drive Ariella to victory for trainers Graeme Anderson and Mike Love.
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