Harness racing driver Matthew Williamson was the star of the show at Forbury yesterday (Sunday) when he bagged four winners and two second placings from his eight raceday drives.
Williamson started his winning run when Schnapps narrowly won the second race for trainer Tony Stratford.
Schnapps (Changeover – Shining Cloud) was ignored by the punters going out the fifth favorite in a field of eight runners and paying $15.70 to win on the tote, and $18.00 on the fixed odds FF win.
Schnapps settled back in the field while hot favorite Link To Collect ran along in the lead. Near last turning for home, Schnapps zoomed home wide on the track to get up and win by a nose.
The five year old gelding paced the 2200m journey in 2-46.1 with a closing 800m in 60.5 and 400m in 30.6.
Outsider Schnapps winning narrowly
Martin McGuinness won the next race for Williamson sneaking up the inside to narrowly beat the big TAB FFwin shortener Shards Halo. He is trained at Mataura by Lyndon Bond and won by a neck, pacing the 2200m mobile in 2-46.3.
Martin McGuinness getting up the passing lane to win
Matthew's other two wins came via Articulight and Stylish Duke.
Articulight (Art Official – Light Of The South) came with one run at them in a restlessly run race where there was several attacks for the lead. Articulight was one of the few horses who sat back and did no work in the running. Matthew launched the six year old gelding at the 600m to quickly grab the lead and shoot clear to win easily in a 2-01.2 mile rate for the 2200m.
Williamson was confident before the race saying Articulight was his best drive of the week and the horse proved him right winning as he liked.
Articulight winning easily
Stylish Duke (Monarchy – Yankee Diedree) was impressive leading all the way in the R65 to R90 trot. Williamson had him in front after 800m and he kept up a strong run to win easily from the Phil Williamson trained stablemates Pyramid Magic and Pyramid Monarch. Stylish Monarch trotted the 2700m in 3-33.3 with closing splits of 58.2 and 29.3
Stylish Duke proving too strong
Blair Orange also grabbed three wins during the day to increase his lead in the national drivers championship to four over David Butcher.
Harnesslink Media