Tim Williams Admits He Doesn’t Know What Miki Bennett (Always B Miki) will do when the tires fly in Sunday’s Placemakers Oamaru Cup (4:22 p.m.).
The pacer comes into the 2600m handicap having botched his last standing start before making a huge recovery to win.
That win came down to the numbers, and if Miki Bennett does it again, he will have a huge task ahead of him to win.
But Williams is hopeful his accuser can get things right because of one crucial factor.
“He’s a quirky character and, honestly, you never quite know what he might do.”
“But because he is one of only two horses in the 20 meters on Sunday, with no horses behind him, he gets the chance to step away.”
“I’d like to think he could do well, but I think everyone knows what he’s like and what he can do when his brain isn’t in the right gear.”
While Miki Bennett may have a reputation for quirkiness – which he has earned – Williams is confident that the pacer is a much more refined product than he has been in the past.
“I definitely think he’s gotten better; he’s good a lot more often than he’s bad these days.”
“I think he’s probably just one of those slower-maturing horses, and he’s a lot calmer now.”
“He has driven some great races from behind the mobile, and this seems like a pretty suitable figure for him.”
“If he can do things right, he should be a useful prospect.”
Williams will pair up with another Stonewall Stud pacer on Sunday in Riptide, who has an exemplary record behind the tires.
The pacer looks a big winning threat due to his 10m handicap, thanks to three second-place finishes.
“He is just a sweet, sincere horse and of course very consistent.”
“I think he can drive another nice race on Sunday.”
Utah Blaze looks like a serious winning threat at Oamaru, with his barrier 1 in the second row looking like the only major factor against him.
The pacer ran a respectable race in his last outing when he finished seventh behind two-year-old star Jumal in the recent $200,000 Harness Million.
“His sectionals were very good in the Harness Million, and if he comes back in a first race he will be well placed.”
“He might need that little bit of luck, but if he gets it, he should be there.”
Treasure Cove looks to be a serious threat to the Stonewall Stud stable despite making mistakes in his last start on grass.
The three-year-old has much stronger company than he will encounter on Sunday.
Williams also joins stablemates Spanish Princess and Silvester at Oamaru. The Spanish princess looks stunning as a race winner competing against girls.
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Through Jonny Turnerfor Harness Racing New Zealand
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