By Jonny Turner
The timing looks perfect for Tabasco as he looks to spice up the Central Southland Cup at Winton today.
The five-year-old will back up in the 2400m feature after an unlucky fifth in the Wyndham Cup.
After making a smart beginning, Tabasco was shuffled back before running on in tight quarters.
The effort came in arguably the strongest field the pacer has taken on in Country Cups company and it showed he was right up with his rivals.
“It was very pleasing because he did have a bit more to offer,” trainer-driver Brad Williamson said.
“He has been a bit of a revelation since his win at Ashburton during Cup Week, he hasn’t gone a bad race yet.”
“He has always been a bit casual in his races but with a bit more time and maturity he has been more focused on competing.”
“He has been very competitive in these country cup races and of all of them this one probably looks the most likely one, as far as winning goes.”
Tabasco starts from the front line in the Subway Winton/Uppercuts Butchery Central Southland Cup (3.17pm) as he did in the Wyndham Cup. He is a $2.90 joint favourite with Piccadilly Pete in just a five horse field.
That handicap won’t matter much if Tabasco makes an early mistake, as he has done in most of his standing starts.
However, the pacer got his last look at the starting tapes bang on.
“It is the only time he has stepped away, he has always scrambled or can-canned away for a few strides.”
“It was very pleasing to see him get it right, I put the hopple shorteners up a few more holes than I have before and we will go with that formula again.”
Williamson starts three horses at Winton on Saturday and all three look genuine winning threats.
Kracka Looka steps back in class in Race 3, the AB Lime Handicap Trot after running fifth at Addington in her last start.
In her prior outing, the mare delivered a strong win at Cromwell.
“She performed well enough in a handy Addington grade.”
“Ah Dinnae Ken looks the one to beat, but if she were to make a mistake which she has done at times, I think we would be up to handling the rest of the field.”
Domination’s Call has been brilliantly consistent through summer and early autumn and he looks set to run another honest race for the Williamson stable in Saturday’s feature trot, the Des Ltd Handicap Trot (2.18pm).
“He’s been going well, he is a horse that capitalises with his good manners and by making a good beginning.”
Williamson rates Lil Whip as the best winning chance among his outside drives.
The trotter steps back sharply in grade after taking on Samanthas Moon, who is a big winning hope in Saturday’s feature trot.
