The Williams Racing stables at Tamworth are on the crest of a wave with their pacer Gottashopearly - especially after winning a race at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night.
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“You have to enjoy it when you can - we are proud we could crack it,” Williams remarked after his first metropolitan win as a trainer and also the first metro win for Gottashopearly.
“The horse is certainly making a bit of noise.”
“We are very happy - the horse deserved the win as he has been knocking on the door.”
Gottashopearly and Double Encounter couldn’t be split, the judge declaring a dead heat.
Handsome Hero (Lauren Tritton) was 4.9m away third with quarters contested in 28.1 seconds; 29.4 seconds; 28.3 seconds and 27.3 seconds.
Williams trains Gottashopearly, along with the help at the stables by his fiancé Ashlea McKinnon for Hunter Valley owners Jake Mitchell, Tracey Lee and Josh Lee who purchased the gelding as a $4,000 claimer back in May 2018.
“The win was good for Tamworth as well - it’s good for everyone up here - I know he (Gottashopearly) is only one horse but it makes people look at Tamworth in a different light,” he said.
Gottashopearly has certainly been mixing it up of late after taking out the Garrard’s Horse & Hound Tamworth City Cup in January over 2360 metres.
The gelding’s next start was in the Group 3 Goulburn Cup where he finished sixth over 2240m.
That run was followed by a third to Buster Brady in the $35,000 Moama Bowling Club Echuca Cup (2560m).
In taking out the Cordina Food Pace (Heat 2) over 1609m with a personal best mile rate of 1.53.1 minutes Gottashopearly will have his next race start in a $25,000 Penalty Exempt Lexus Invitational Drivers Stakes at Menangle on Miracle Mile night - March 2.
“We are really rapt - we do a lot of miles with the horses if they are good enough,” Williams said.
“We are not afraid to throw them in the deep end and see if they swim.”
Williams engaged Sydney reinsman Leigh Sutton for the drive at Menangle on Saturday night and watched trackside as Sutton pinged out of the gate to take the lead from the six barrier with Gottashopearly who dictated the race terms out in front.
“It was a 50/50 decision if we would find the front but they (other drivers) were happy to hand up to him,” he said.
“He (Gottashopearly) is a bit lazy out in front and you have to keep him going. When I saw the first quarter was in 28 (seconds) I felt confident.”
Sutton he was thrilled with the win of Gottashopearly and also congratulated Steph Lippiatt on her drive behind Double Encounter.
“Once I found the front, he was pretty casual,” he said of Gottashopearly.
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“He did his job and when I kicked, he felt really strong.”
“He (Gottashopearly) is flying - there was no Buster Brady in the race tonight - I thought he was a strong chance.”
“That is Richards first metro winner and he has to share it which is a little bit of a shame but in saying that it is Steph’s first metro winner as well and I suppose if you are sharing first place that is a nice way to do it.”
With the judge unable to split Gottashopearly and Double Encounter both drivers were anxiously waiting for the decision.
“I thought Steph had beat me actually on the line but then you just pray and hope they call your number over the line - I knew it was tight,” Sutton said.
Gottashopearly was having career start 75 and took his earnings to just over $100,000 with his 17th win.
Williams has had the gelding in his stable for 23 starts which has produced six wins and eight placings.
