Oamaru trainer Phil Williamson is a big fan of trotting competitions for mares. Yet he thinks it will be virtually impossible for his quality mare Empire City (Volstead)) to win the $40,000 Group Three The Dark Horse at Ascot Park tomorrow.
“I’m not giving her a chance. 100 feet is ridiculous, and I don’t mind saying it out loud. Above 2200, it’s an impossible mission. Those horses are capable of running 47 (2-47) from the front. She would have to run from a stand 44 (2-44), around a field of 14 horses. That’s impossible,” he said.
Hidden Talent, trained by his son Nathan, who starts with a handicap of 30 meters, also thinks he is in the same situation.
“They’re not going to run much more than 30 (seconds) a quarter. You just have to follow them, hope they can break the New Zealand record (2-44.5) and maybe you can run in the top three. It’s a shame for the race. If they made it a 2700, every horse would have its chance.”
Williamson says people will point to Eurostyle winning the 10m race last year.
“She did phenomenally and a lot of people would say she is the best mare in New Zealand. That’s the quality you have to have to do that. She is capable of that kind of work and we are not. And I don’t believe Nathan’s horse can do that.”
Outside of Empire City, Williamson has two other runners in the mare position.
Torquay Street (Father Patrick) starts at the front mark.
On her last start in Methven she was checked, lost her driver and was stopped. She has an excellent track record, good distance statistics and won three races from the standing start.
“I think she has a very good chance of being in the first four. She is generally a very good beginner, even though she was tipped at her last start through no fault of her own. She has not suffered any damage from it.”
Williamson says starting at the front is a huge advantage.
As an example he mentions the Southern Surge Final in Gore in August, which was also held over 2200 meters with handicap conditions. “Lead and trail ran first and second.”
The head coach says the front line for tomorrow’s race is strong.
“You’ve got Matty’s horse (Princess Sadie). If I were in the market, she would be the discounted favorite.”
Phil’s other runner Practical Magic was tough as she won in difficult conditions on her last start. All five of her wins came in standing start races. She starts from 10 meters.
“The 10 meters will get her back into the field well. She is doing great at the moment and I am very happy with her. She needs them to run record speed and if they do that she could run into the top four.”
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
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