Jimmy wins in track record time

Evergreen trotter Jimmy Carter (The Pres) trained by Phil Williamson trotted a track and Southland record when he won his thirteenth race at the Forbury Park Trotting Club meeting at the Wyndham harness racing track today (Jun. 24).

In today’s handicap trot off twenty metres driver Mark Hurrell settled the eight year old second last in the nine horse field with front marker Mad Jack (Love You) making all the play. At the 600 Hurrell pushed the go button and Jimmy Carter began to make progress on the leaders but was still some six lengths away from the top.

By the time Mad Jack straightened for the run home Jimmy Carter had cut the margin down to three lengths and under the urging of his driver he let down genuinely, to get up to beat a brave Mad Jack by a neck, with Domination’s Call (Trixton) five and three quarter lengths back in third.

The winning time for the 2400 metre stand was 3-00.4 – a new track and Southland record. The previous track record of 3-01.6 was held by another Williamson horse Pyramid Magic, (Armbro Invasion) while Majestic Man (Majestic Son) held the Southland record of 3-01.0 at Winton.

JIMMY CARTER REPLAY

Jimmy Carter was bred by the Grice Brothers of South Canterbury and started his career with John Versteeg before he was shipped south to Williamson’s barn. Phil qualified him at Ascot Park in January 2019 as a four year old.

“John couldn’t get him to trot. He had an inkling to pace and he’s still got it, and that’s why he misses away sometimes. He swings into a free legged pace,” Williamson said.

The eight year old gelding has now won over $150,000.

“I think if you took away the days he’s broken, he’d have a pretty good record. Being out the back by himself (20 metres) is always an advantage because he gets hypo. I think it’s a bit of the Sundon in him.”

Jimmy Carter is out of the speedy Sundon mare Jo Anne which won twelve races, including the 2001 Two Year Old New Zealand Trotting Stakes.

His thirteen wins have been spread across a multitude of drivers with Matty and Brad Williamson each winning on the gelding four times, while John Morrison has won three races with him and Mark Hurrell and Kerryn Tomlinson have taken out one each.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink