The conditioning skills of Oamaru harness racing trainer Phil Williamson were to the fore in the first race at Gore yesterday.

The well bred Jeddy R Ya Ready hasn't been cited at the trials or workouts this season but that didn't stop him winning the Kevin Campbell Farrier Trot.

Driver Brad Williamson slotted him into the trail early behind Majestic Peak. With 1300 metres to run Majestic Peak galloped leaving Jeddy A Ya Ready in front. He stayed there until the finish, holding out Zoey's Gift by a length and a quarter with Moniburns a further six and three quarter lengths back in third. 

Jeddy R Ya Ready winning at Gore                  Photo Bruce Stewart

"He stepped away really well today. It helped when stablemate (Zoey's Gift) missed away so that made a difference because she's got a lot of ability," said Brad Williamson after the win.

The run of stablemate Zoey's Gift was huge. She was 60 metres off the leaders early, then had to plot a pathway through an array of breaking horses and make ground into a strong breeze. 

Brad Williamson shares in the ownership of the horse with his parents Phil and Bev and Grant Gray who owns a quarter share. 

Grant Gray has been racing horses since 1984, tasting early success with smart juvenile Blue Admiral which ran third in the 1986 Kindergarten Stakes before winning at Winton two weeks later. It was then sold to clients of Roy and Barry Purdon winning another four races before being exported to America.

Jeddy R Ya Ready was having his first run as a three year old, having started six times last season as a two year old. 

"We thought he was good enough to get a free maiden win in the winter (last season). He made a few mistakes which probably cost him a win. He's come back a better horse this year."

At this stage Williamson says there are no plans to race him against his own age group but that could come later in the season. 

"Probably not yet as he's still learning the game but later in the year we may put  him against some nicer types and see how he handles the step up. We'll take him through the grades and space his races if he's not sold." 

He's out of a half sister by Continentalman to the smart trotter Springbank Richard which won twenty races for the Williamson barn. Jeddy R Ya Ready is her second foal.  

Bruce Stewart
Southland Harness Racing