Winton breeder Neville Skinner had one of those harness racing rarities when his name was in the race book four times for the first race on the card at his home track at Winton on Monday.
He bred the winner Only One Way, as well as Helluva Way (5th) and Tommy Tiddler (9th). All three horses drew next to each other at the barrier. The occasion would have been even rarer if Lucky Me which had drawn five, had started.
After a good start driver Matty Williamson took Only One Way straight to the top and he remained there for the entire journey, running out a three and a quarter length win over Star Dude.
This was the three year old’s second career start and after the highly promising Chinese Whisper was scratched, he was made a commanding favourite.
“Last time in (as a two year old) we thought quite a lot of him but he just weakened off a bit. Although he went quite a nice race (in the New Zealand Two Year Old Trotting Stakes) we thought he might have done a little bit more than he did. Hopefully this time after a break he’ll be a better horse and kick on a bit,” said Williamson.
The Skinner trio – Helluva Way (Allan Beck), Only One Way (Matty Williamson) and Tommy Tiddler (Ellie Barron) – Photo Bruce Stewart
Trained by Phil Williamson he’s owned by Neville Skinner, his sister Judy Ward her husband David and their cousin Grant McMaster. The same group owned the ill-fated Alley Way which won eleven races.
Matty Williamson says the Majestic Son three year old will still have to improve if he’s to step up to the better grade.
“He didn’t steer very well today so hopefully we can iron that out because going up a grade he’ll be wanting to be doing everything right. He was hanging a bit today but he’ll be a lot better for that one.”
The winning connections with Maurice Skinner holding the Jimmy Dillion Cup – Photo Bruce Stewart
Williamson says the Hambletonian at Ashburton in February will give the team a better idea if the horse is worthy of a start in some of the age group races later in the season.
Only One Way is of a breed that former local vet Peter Williams and the Skinner family have had a lot of success with.
The breed stems back to the broodmare Princess Way which produced a host of winners for Neville and Judy’s father Maurice including Arbitrator (3), Gregory Peter (6), Arlington (3), Whizz Way (3) and Sundon’s Way (15). No Way is a daughter of Whizz Way.
Once again Canterbury based trainers dominated the Southern meeting with Ivan Court winning Race Two with outsider Choice Lustre. Aylesbury trainer Stephen Boyd won with Back In Black, Vi Lee and I’ve Already Told You. All were driven by Mark Jones. It was the first time Boyd had trained three in one day.
Bruce Stewart