By Jonny Turner
Yet again it has been proven that a horse with ability and Phil Williamson’s masterful hand are a potent combination.
In the depths of winter while most star three-year-old trotters are off the scene, Tarragindi is taking huge strides towards his big spring targets.
The trotter cleared out for an emphatic win for driver Nathan Williamson, on a big Friday night at Addington for his father Phil, who later produced Becky’s Girl for an effortless debut victory for driver Brad Williamson.
Tarragindi showed all sorts of ability as a two-year-old, with only his manners holding him back. A late gallop when looking a serious threat in Meant To Be’s Group 1 Ace Of Diamonds typified that.
While surely frustrating, owner Bev Williamson has one of the most powerful weapons in her corner – being married to New Zealand’s greatest-ever trotting trainer.
And he has a cunning plan to have Tarragindi ready to show his best when he tackles more Group 1 features at Addington later this year.
“I think anyone who knows the game and saw the horse as a two-year-old would have thought he was going to make a nice horse,” Phil said.
“He was green and had a lot to learn, and I was reluctant to put too much gear on him. I didn’t want him getting too fired up.”
“He’s had a good break and he’s racing now to get that ringcraft, because when we race the better ones later on, we have to be fit, ready, and doing everything right.”
“Because he is lower in the ratings, we can afford to give him a few starts at this time of year and get that experience.”
Tarragindi takes his name from a suburb of Brisbane with a population of around 11,000.
It caught Phil Williamson’s attention when he heard it on TV and he subsequently used it to name his progressive trotter.
Phil and Bev enjoyed a breeding, owning, and training double between them with Becky’s Girl, a daughter of their smart former racemare Alderbeck scoring later in the Addington card.
The two-year-old showed excellent manners as she cruised to an easy win on debut.
Though they may not share too many similarities on type, like Tarragindi, Becky’s Girl has plenty to learn early in her two-year-old career.
“She is still green —when she was left in front, she didn’t know exactly what to do,” Phil said.
“She got a little bit pacey in her gait, and it wasn’t until the other horses got up to her that she really got into gear.”
“All three of those horses in that race will go to the paddock now — they’ve all got a future.”
“Becky’s Girl has really nice speed, which will be her biggest asset going forward.”
The Williamson wins at Addington on Friday night didn’t stop with Becky’s Girl and Tarragindi.
Son Nathan produced She’s Crunchy for a strong front-running victory in her debut.
