The Darren Defilippi Memorial on Friday evening in Addington is a race that all Junior drivers on the South Island -strive for winning and it has a special meaning for Oamaru -Ruiter Matthew Williamson.
“It has a great history and a great importance this year. It is a highly sought after race, so it’s cool to have one,” said Williamson who trains Princess Sadie (muscle mass).
As a junior driver, Williamson won Back to Back Darren Defilippi memorials in 2011, 2012 and 2013.
“I was very lucky about it, so I hope I can also leave the training side.”
The four -year -old mare has had this campaign four starts, won twice and second in her other two runs.
At her last start three weeks ago, Princess Sadie led and was beaten by half a neck and beaten by one MHOR for Heather.
“She’s just waiting for this race. She always works well fresh, so we succeeded that we were able to save her a little.”
Princess Sadie with most of the capacity field starts the twenty meters and is handled by stable Junior Hayden Douglas.
“She flew away at her last start, so Touch Wood, the start will not be a problem and it is only about Hayden who plot a course from there. It’s a pretty strong field and it is even good. She would not want to do work of work, but if she could get a half -decent journey, I expect to be there.”
The memorial race is run in memory of Darren de Filippi, the son of Colin and Julie Defilippi. He won fourteen races as a junior driver and was nineteen when he died tragically in a traffic accident that returned home from the Ashburton races in 1995.
For Friday’s race, Princess Sadie will be accompanied by Geraldine Clowers to the north (Creatine) and Jordan Anne (Pegasus traces).
Geraldine Clowers Fronts Up in Race Three and the three -year -old Merrieveeulen pulls one behind the mobile.
“It was a much improved effort at her last start and I was very happy with her the next day. From that one trek I would like to think she would be a good place.”
Jordan Anne was defeated by Holly Highlanders last Friday and she pulls wide in Race eight.
“She is super consistent. She has drawn a little bit, but she is always a top three chance in these types of figures.”
Through Bruce StewartFor Harnesslink
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