Ryal Bush harness racing trainer Nathan Williamson looks to have a nice three year old pacer in Foo Fighter which won well at Ascot Park last weekend..
The American Ideal gelding has been allowed to develop and Williamson has carefully managed the horse specifically targeting this $10,000 CO race for him.
"When we saw this race was coming up we set him for this one," he said.
There was stacks of money on the debutant which was on the back of a reputation and some good workouts form. But punters must have had an element of concern when he went rough before turning into the home straight for the last time.
Foo Fighter (8) getting the better of Vera Mac (3) in the SBS Bank Pace – Photo Bruce Stewart
"It's something he's never done before. It actually cost me a good position getting around the last bend. He'd have won easily if he hadn't done that because Snow (driver Brendon McLellan driving Vera Mac) wouldn't have got out."
The gelding was bred by Ben and Karen Calder and is out of their In the Pocket mare Lucy's Way. He qualified as a two year old, under the guidance of one of his part-owners John Earl, at Wyndham in April last year when driver by Williamson.
"I drove him to qualify so I knew a bit about him. He was bred on Ben and Karen's place so he used to come home to spell. So I've had a bit to do with him all the way through."
Shortly after qualifying, noting his size and speed, Williamson put a syndicate together and bought the gelding off the Calders and John and Juliette Earl.
"That's why we got a syndicate together to buy him. I thought that being such a big horse, when he gets his speed he'll be alright."
He's now owned by John and Juliette Earl, Karen Calder, Katie Williamson, Neville Cleaver, Sid Slee, Kevin Strong, Robyn Jones and Alan Jones.
"He's a big solid thick set horse, thick legged, and he'll be better with time. He's a nice horse but he just has to learn the ringcraft."
Later in the programme Williamson trained and drove Dark Horse to win the Brendan Franks Farrier Handicap Trot.
The win made up for her expensive failure at Cromwell.
"She galloped of her own accord at the start at Cromwell. After that she just shied at all the horses that were tipped out and that made her gallop," said Williamson who made a slight correction to her gear for today's race.
"I slipped the overcheck on her today. I just thought it would help her balance going into that first bend. And I just gave her a bit of space and time. Didn't want to do anything too silly."
The race panned out perfectly with Williamson slotting in to get the trail behind Monty Python. He said although he could have lead, the Bacardi Lindy mare is better saved for one run.
Dark Horse beating Monty Python – Photo Bruce Stewart.
"He (Monty Python) was probably the one to beat so I was rapt to see that it was him I was following. Coming to the 600 I was pretty confident."
Williamson says he intends to give Dark Horse a spell now. She's now won five of her eleven starts.
Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing