Don’t be surprised if Matty Williamson waits for no one in tonight’s Canterbury Park Trotting Cup at Addington.
With the aid of the inside barrier draw and some impressive stand start manners, Williamson and his drive, Alley Way could find themselves in front early on in the Group Three event and if circumstances permit, there’s no hesitation in staying there.
Second up after a tenacious runner-up effort behind Bordeaux two weeks ago, Alley Way will head to Addington tonight a much more forward prospect and also with a driver confident of a big showing.
“He’s as good as anything else in there,” Williamson said.
“And having that slight handicap advantage means if we have to make the most of it then so be it, he’s good in the fact he can do both whether it be coming from off the speed or setting it himself.
“So with a front line draw we would be silly not to look to try and lead early and then see what unfolds.”
Alley Way joined the stable of Williamson’s father, Phil this season after being previously trained by Neville Skinner and having also spent time in the stable of Colin and Julie DeFilippi.
With a plethora of trotting stars around the Oamaru stable, it hasn’t been a tall ask to try and get a good line on last year’s Dominion Handicap runner-up and Williamson is certain he’s come through the run with flying colours.
“It probably wasn’t ideal doing as much work as we did fresh up, and 3.16 is ticking along pretty nicely.
“But he doesn’t seem to have taken any issues out of the run, he bounced right back and has trained really well since so he will be a better horse this week than when he last raced.”
A lot of Williamson’s pre-race thoughts will hinge on the stand start manners of the untapped Amaretto Sun.
A free-going trotter, the Ken Ford trained runner showed his liking for a solid tempo when he was emphatic in victory last time out and if he steps cleanly, Sheree Tomlinson could be expected to try a similar tactic this week.
“He (Amaretto Sun) looks the likely leader, but I don’t expect him to be fast away so it will be a case of seeing what happens early and then making a decision from there.”
With the absence of top line horses like Monbet and even Master Lavros and Stent, this year’s Canterbury Park Trotting Cup is without doubt one of the most even in recent years.
North Island trotter, Realmein makes his Addington debut off the back of two very impressive Alexandra Park victories in his most recent starts.
One Over Da Moon, who never looked completely comfortable on the grass last week when third, will start off the back mark and is expected to put his best hoof forward and be a player while the likes of Sheemon, Quite A Moment and Sunny Ruby are other leading contenders.
Matt Markham