By Jonny Turner
Tim Williams will combine with familiar faces and plenty of catch drives at Thursday’s Winton meeting.
Alongside a few of his counterparts in Canterbury, the reinsman is in the midst of a busy week with meetings at Oamaru, Addington and Motukarara also to compete at.
Williams links with two horses from the Stonewall Stud South Island base, which he is an integral part of, at the Winton meeting including impressive last start winner Rock N Dash in race 10.
The filly looks a decent chance in her 2400m assignment, but just like in her last start win on the track, she must overcome starting from the unruly.
“If the race maps for her from the unruly she is a good chance, it is not easy from there,” Williams said.
“Hopefully if she behaves herself it will be her last start on the unruly.”
“She is quick, but she will settle towards the back of the field, so it will depend what unfolds in front of her.”
Williams also drives Show Me Heaven for the Steve and Amanda Telfer barn in race 4.
The three-year-old takes on a handy line up from her own age group on the back of a gritty third at Addington after being posted wide for much of the last lap.
“I thought her last run was her best this time in, it has probably taken her a few runs to tighten up.”
“It is a pretty even field, obviously Artatac has won a few races.”
“The mile suits her, it won’t be an easy race all the same, but at her best she can be a first-three player.”
Beach Ball heads south after a freshen up to take on a smart line up of three-year-olds in race 6 for trainer Kevin Chapman.
The two-year-old has trialled twice ahead of his trip south and Williams was more than happy with his effort in the latest of them.
“Kevin has been happy with him.”
“His trial might have looked a bit plain, but he was just experimenting with a bit of gear.”
“He has had a freshen up, Kev is trying to kill two birds with one stone – give him a run and a trip away to try to help him grow up a wee bit.”
Meghan Markle is among the best chances in the big line up of catch drives Williams has picked up on Thursday.
The filly brings smart trial form, including a handy effort last weekend at Balfour, to her debut in race 2.
Taxman ran handy sectionals in his last start at Timaru and also looks a decent eachway chance for Williams in race 8.
Especial (race 9), Beez Neez, (race 7) and Love Is Everywhere (race 5) also have realistic winning claims in their assignments.
Williams also combines with Tease My Tartan who, as usual, is a First4 contender.