Aaliyah heads to trials for first time

By Dave Di Somma, Harness News Desk 

After featuring in a "Win A Share in a Race Horse" competition last year, two-year-old filly Aaliyah has had her first public outing.

In November breeder-owner Andrew Fry offered five people a share in the Sweet Lou filly who is the first foal out of former New Zealand record-holder Ariella.

Mikayla Rowland, Logan Dunlop, Greg Wilson, Ian Rolfe, and Julie Allan were the winners and were each given 2% of the filly. They will get a percentage of all winnings, with no outlay at all.

Fry's motivation was to get new people involved in horse ownership in the hope they will either branch out themselves or encourage other people to get involved.
 
This week trainer Matty Williamson took Aaliyah to the Oamaru trials.

After botching the start from behind the mobile gate she recovered well, eventually finishing second in the three horse trial, a neck behind Castle Hill.

"It's the first time she's seen the mobile and she panicked," says Williamson, "she is still very green."

But the way she rallied after the early mistake was encouraging.  

"I was happy with the run," says Williamson.

Her time for the 2000m mobile was 2:39.1.

"She would have gone under the qualifying time (2:37.8) if she didn't gallop."

Known as "Lulu", Williamson says she is "nice-natured" and "a lovely laid-back filly" around the stables.

The pair will head back to the trials at Addington next week, with Williamson hoping that Lulu will bring her manners this time.