Julie Maughan's Raceday Report Sunday 5 February 2017 - Richard Williams win

WILLIAMS GETS A WINNER by Julie Maughan

Former Queensland trainer Richard Williams has finally landed in the winner’s circle after a handy win in the Brian Betts 70th Birthday Pace with Coralie Joy.

A decision to stay in Tamworth and develop up a team is finally paying dividends with Williams nearly achieving a training double on Sunday night but had to be content with just one – Coralie Joy.

Williams was returning Midnight Montana to the Paceway after the gelding was retired from his race the meeting before when Williams was tipped from the gig but showed great skills to hang onto the reins and the horse on that occasion.

The only casualty was a new set of driving pants and a new set of colours after they were ripped as Williams was dragged along the track.

Midnight Montana led the field as they raced out of the back straight in the Thank You THRC Volunteers & Staff Pace but was passed by the Barry Schipp trained Tact Maria who came away for a 2.6 metre win over Midnight Montana and Western Safari 9 metres away third.

"He (Midnight Montana) likes to get out and get going but got beat by a better horse on the day" added Williams who collected a win in the following event – the Brian Betts 70th Birthday Pace.

"She has been going really well" said Williams of Coralie Joy who has had two starts at Tamworth after recently racing in Queensland– "she has only been here a couple of weeks"

After sitting mid field as the bell sounded Williams elected to take Coralie Joy three wide around the field and have 1.4 metre win over Lets Play Ball (Stacey Weidemann) and Darwin’s Luck (Lola Weidemann) 5.3 metres away third.

Coralie Joy paid $36.40 for the win.