Trotting Double For Phil Williamson

Bruce Stewart Contributor

A trotting double isn’t rare for master trainer Phil Williamson but two long shot trotting winners on the same day is.

That’s what the Oamaru trainer produced at Ascot Park today when Majestic Connies won at odds of 25-1 and then two races later Jimmy Carter won paying $14.40.

Majestic Connies got the long shot double underway.

He was back early but driver John Morrison sent him forward to sit parked with a lap to run. He got his head in front of leader Crusher Collins turning in and held off late charges from Rydgemont Son wide out and That’s The Story on the inside. The winning margin was a head with a nose back to third.

“He trialled like he’d be hard to beat before he raced last, and that run was a bit disappointing. He’s hard for the public to follow but on his day he can turn on a good performance and he’s got a reasonable amount of ability for that grade,” said trainer Phil Williamson.

Majestic Connies (6) holding on in a tight finish – Photo Bruce Stewart

Returning to the birdcage

Later in the day Jimmy Carter accounted for a tidy field of square gaiters when he got up to win the Carpet Plus Willy’s Flooring Trot.

He was in the one one for the last part of the race. Driver Brad Williamson came out inside the last 600 when second favourite Madrik improved. Leader Richard The Third and Jimmy Carter went head to head inside the last 400 metres. The Williamson trained trotter came away at the end, beating Richard The Third by a length and three quarters with Horse Of Course running home for third.

Jimmy Carter trotting out to win – Photo Bruce Stewart

Back to the birdcage – Photo Bruce Stewart

“His last two starts were from a mobile and he didn’t take part. He won a trial from the stand in between and we thought that if he got away today he’d be pretty competitive. We had a team in that were all competitive but it’s just around the manners on the day. Brad got it right with Jimmy Carter and Johnny Morrison got Connies round.”

And Williamson says he’s excited to be bringing class trotter Ultimate Stride south in the next fortnight.

“It’ll be great to have him back at the races. He had a breakdown after he came back from Australia so he hasn’t raced for nearly a year but he’s a quality horse. He’s had a couple of trials. Will he need a run? I think his class should get him home but it’s never that easy.”

After today’s racing the Williamson brothers had extended their collective tally of driving wins to 2002.  Matty currently sits on 860, Nathan 820 and Brad 322.