Oamaru trotter Monty Python goes to Addington tonight as a horse who is in the zone.
Trainer Phil Williamson lines the 8yr-old up in race 6 tonight with the hope that his horse can not only win, but also improve on his Dominion Handicap ranking.
In the latest order of entry, released yesterday, Monty Python was rated 15th of 29 horses vying for 15 spots in the time-honoured trot.
To move up the rankings and better secure his spot in the field, or at least hold his place, the horse will need to show top form before the field is selected after the New Zealand Trotting Free For All on New Zealand Cup day.
``He is flying and I am expecting him to make the top four; anything less than that and I will be very disappointed with him.
``I give him a winning good chance tomorrow even off the back mark, but it comes down to how the race is run.
``He is a good enough horse to go and make his own luck and deal to them. He is not dominant, but he is good enough to go and win that race if he had a good trip.''
The Williamson stable also lines up Sam Galleon, who disappointed with his third placing at Invercargill last weekend, in race 6.
The horse would need to turn his fortunes around quickly to be competitive tonight, Williamson said.
The trainer lined up a six-strong team at yesterday's Oamaru trials, where 10-win trotter Father Christmas showed he was ready to return to racing.
The 7yr-old enjoyed a spell after last racing in April and has returned looking in fantastic order, Williamson said after the horse's trial win yesterday.
Father Christmas held a neck's advantage over Trouble Giero at the finish, with Alderbeck and Brads Kenny both more than three lengths away.
Father Christmas, Alderbeck and Brads Kenny will all race at Gore on Saturday and though Alderbeck faces the biggest task of the Williamson-trained trio, off a massive 50m handicap, he is certainly not writing off her chances.
``She trialled well, too. She would be a chance even off the 50m.''
Hype trotter Davey Mac was not on his best behaviour - galloping at the top of the straight - when he won at yesterday's trials.
``I am not too worried about that; I will just put a line through that. I still think he will be very hard to beat wherever he lines up.''
Davey Mac would either head to a race on the Ashburton Flying Stakes programme at Labour Weekend or return to Southland for his second start, Williamson said.
Oamaru trial results.-
Weather, fine; track, fast.
Race 1, qualifying trot, 2000m: Heez Belmont B Williamson 1, Kenny's Dream 2. Trainer: D Williamson. Time: 2.39.8, 800m 60.4. Margin: Nk. Two started.
Race 2, qualifying pace, 2500m: Reattore B White 1, Scented Pockets 2, Santanna Fair 3. Trainer: B White. Time: 2.41.2, 800m 58.7. Margins: 3L, dist. Three started.
Race 3, r40-55 trot, 2600m: Castleton Tui B Williamson 1, Troy Castleton 2, Davey Mac 3. Trainer: P Williamson. Time: 3.34.7, 800m 59.8. Margins: 2L, dist. Three started.
Race 4, up to r70 mobile pace, 2000m: Doc Seelster D Reardon 1, Hot Starff 2, Limoso 3. Trainer: D Reardon. Time: 2.33.5, 800m 59.8. Margins: 1L, 3L. Four started.
Race 5, up to r70 mobile pace, 2000m: Bevan's Cullen M Williamson 1, Franco Exeter 2, Belmont Jet 3. Trainer: D Simpson. Time: 2.30.2, 800m 56.1. Margins: 2L, 3L. Four started.
Race 6, up to r75 pace, 2600m: Christmas Toyboy 20m M Lewis 1, Mickey Jay, Boomer Bailey 20m. Trainer: B White. Time: 3.27.1, 800m 58.8. Margins: ½nk, dist. Three started.
Race 7, r60+ trot, 2600m: Father Christmas 30m M Williamson 1, Trouble Giero 2, Alderbeck 30m 3. Trainer: P Williamson. Time: 59.2. Margins: Nk, 3L. Six started.
Race 7, workout learners pace, 2000m: Ideal Blaze M Williamson 1, Zatza Life 2. Trainer: T Harkness. Time: 2.54.6, 800m 62.7. Margin: ½L. Two started.
