By Jonny Turner
Tim Williams is hopeful giving away a head-start won’t be a headache for Allamericanlover in the Maurice Holmes Vase at Addington on Friday night.
The Stonewall Stud mare will be out to make history in the first qualifier for the 2023 New Zealand Cup.
No horse has started from a handicap in the 12-year history of the event, let alone won from the 10m mark Allamericanlover will face.
Though they face a daunting task, Williams hopes his mare can overcome it with a fast beginning.
“I don’t want to jinx myself, but I think she can settle in front of a few of the horses starting in front of her,” the reinsman said.
“Especially the ones on the unruly.”
“She is going really well, her first up run was great and if she can getaway well and settle handy enough she is going to be a good chance.”
Allamericanlover is part of a powerful team Stonewall Stud will start at Addington on Friday night.
Alta Meteor looks a bright winning hope second up following his easy first up win at the same track earlier this month.
“He had a nice run first up but he did it very well,” Williams said.
“He is a class horse and his work has been good.”
“The draw (8) won’t make it easy but he should go another great race.”
Alta Meteor starts from the outside of the front line, as does Aardiebytheseaside.
Aardiebytheseaside is clearly good enough to win but with a big field inside her, she may need some luck.
“She trialled last week and I think that has really brought her on.”
“We have been happy with her but we knew she was going to draw wide with the preferential conditions.”
“It is going to be hard from out there but she should still go a decent race.”
Miki Bennett disappointed Williams in his return to racing at Addington last month.
But the driver is hopeful the horse can produce a much better effort in race 10.
“He was very average first up, but his work since then has been much better.”
“On his work, I would be surprised if he didn’t run a nice race.”
Williams also combines with a Stonewall Stud debutant in race 6 in Double Jeopardy, as well at the talented Robert and Jenna Dunn trained trotter Nazareth in race 8.
