They are currently one-two in the 2025 drivers’ premiership, with Williams heading to Ashburton today one win away from his 1000th racing success.
“Hopefully it will come soon,” Williams said.
Williams is a real driver in form, with 111 wins this year, 35 behind the Dutch. He has some good chances at the 13-race “Emerging Talent” meeting today and it looks like he will ride at least one winner.
And that should happen in Race 3, the Molly and John Rodgers Memorial Mobile Pace (1:52 p.m.)
Transonic is a first starter for the leading stable of Steve and Amanda Telfer. He was a star performer at the trials and despite a second draw, three-year-old Bettor’s Delight opened a $1.30 favourite.
“He’s a nice horse and he’s my best of the day, but it won’t be easy,” Williams said.
Other good odds include Macho Man (Race 5) and Tribbiani (Race 11) for Kevin Townley and Treasure Cove (Race 6) and Caloriefree (Race 10) for the Telfers.
Race 7 will see Williams join a star-studded trans-Tasman line-up in the first-ever Inkwise Ashburton Invitationd Drivers Challenge Mobile Pace (3.53pm).
It is an R35-44 4YO and older race for the mares that promises to be a highlight of the meeting. He will be one of the outsiders in Stylish Lustre.
Williams’ rivals include James Herbertson (Judine), Pete McMullen, who won the Dominion Trot with Gus on Tuesday, and Leap To Fame’s trainer-driver Grant Dixon, along with Blair Orange, Zachary Butcher and John Dunn, fresh from his trio of winning drives at Addington on Tuesday.
Always A Menace, who helped Orange to their 3000th New Zealand win at Addington last week, is the $1.65 favorite to go back-to-back. She is piloted by Carter Dalgety.
Williams’ 999 wins to date come from almost 7,500 rides, his first winner coming as a junior driver with Easy Armbro at Rangiora in 2007.
For full race entries, click here.
By means of Dave Di SommaHarness News Desk
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