Oamaru's Williamson eyes big payday at Redwood Classic

Phil Williamson.
Phil Williamson.
Oamaru trotting maestro Phil Williamson is looking to cash in on a day that looks tailor-made for him in Victoria tomorrow.

Though he will be a long way from his North Otago base, Williamson should feel right at home at Maryborough's annual Redwood Classic day, with its all-trotting race card.

Williamson will play a massive part in the unique race day when he lines up the favourites in each of its group 1 races.

Liberty Stride's jaw-dropping debut at Shepparton last week will see her start favourite for the $A75,000 ($NZ78,000) Victoria Trotters Derby.

Juvenile blue-blood Ultimate Stride will start at an even shorter price for Williamson in the A$50,000 Redwood Classic.

Though she showed brilliance when losing a stack of ground and crushing her lowly-rated opposition in her Australian debut, that was only possible because her manners let her down badly.

The daughter of Muscle Hill and group 1 winner Jasmyn's Gift looks unlikely to be able to afford to put a foot wrong in tomorrow's 2690m feature.

Liberty Stride has a mobile start to help her get away on even terms with the field.

However, it will be the first time the 3yr-old has seen the gate under race day conditions.

Auckland trotter Kratos, who was rated the third favourite with the Australian TAB this week, adds to the big New Zealand presence in the race.

The John and Josh Dickie-trained squaregaiter tuned up for tomorrow's feature with a crushing win over moderate opposition at Alexandra Park last week.

Unlike Liberty Stride, the 3yr-old brings plenty of mobile race and group 1 event experience in to the Victoria Trotters Derby.

Majestuoso looks the toughest Australian trotter the New Zealand squaregaiters will have beat.

The Andy Gath trained 3yr-old has been brilliant in winning his past four starts.

Majestuoso will probably need to be significantly better than his Kiwi rivals, as he effectively gives them a head start by starting from the unruly position.

Liberty Stride is much better positioned in barrier 4, and Kratos starts from barrier three on the second row.

Ultimate Stride looked to have returned to his best after his slightly below-par run at the Harness Jewels when winning his Australian debut at Maryborough last week.

The 2yr-old began slowly, but safely, and gave the leaders a big head start with a lap to go in the 2190m event.

Ultimate Stride produced a big finish to score an impressive victory and convincingly beat Powderkeg, one of his main race rivals tomorrow.

Bookmakers rate Im Daddy Warbucks as the hardest horse for the Oamaru trotter to beat.

The Gavin Lang-trained and driven 2yr-old galloped at the 500m in his last start in group 1 company, before regathering his composure and running in to fifth.

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