Double for Kelly a "huge thrill"

By Mike Love

Hilderthorpe trainer Kerry Kelly doubled her lifetime winners with dual success at the Timaru meeting yesterday.

Driven by Matthew Williamson, Sweet Lady Jane and Keltic Tiger both got home for Kelly. Her previous two winners were Justin Fun in 2023 and Majestic Rose in 2020, both also driven by Williamson.

“I am absolutely delighted with them. They’ve both shown a bit of promise. We are always hopeful, but they’ve got to do things right," said Kerry Kelly.

In race 1, the Bronsan Transport LTD Passing Lane Trot for maidens, Sweet Lady Jane was able to bring manners and put away what was a handy field.

“I was fairly confident that if she did everything right she would be in the money.”

Sweet Lady Jane made a good beginning to secure the trail. Williamson then angled out of the trail at the 700m to take the lead and did not look back, careering away to win by over eight lengths from runner up Pandemic.

“She’s still pretty green, she doesn't know much about racing in fields yet. We put the earplugs on today. When Matty (Willlimson) pulled them she just took off. She can be a bit lazy, but she likes to race. Matty thinks she’ll handle the step up in grade no problem.”

The five-year-old Peak mare returned to Kelly after she offloaded the horse a year ago, but ended up returning to her barn.

“I originally brought her off gavelhouse. I actually gave her away last year. But then they decided they didn’t want her, so they gave her back. I had too many at the time and I didn’t have time for her, but this year I've just made time for her and it’s paid off.”

Three-year-old Ultimate Machete gelding Keltic Tiger was equally impressive when winning race four the Turf Services Readylawn Timaru Pace.

Keltic Tiger made a steady beginning from his second line draw, following an early hot speed before manoeuvring off the markers to race parked from the 1700m. Williamson put the race to the leader from the 450m, working to the lead and booting away at the top of the straight to hold on and win by a more than comfortable five length margin.

“He’s pretty lazy. We call him Cruise at home because he is just so cruisy. But he’s pretty special to us. We are hopefully going to get a lot of enjoyment out of him.”

Kelly bred Keltic Tiger, but has since given the mare away.

Kelly has a clay track which she uses mainly for jogging and does fast work at the Oamaru racetrack.

“We are working four at the moment. We have a half-sister to Keltic Tiger by Sir Lincoln who will trial this week at Oamaru. She has a tonne of ability.”

Kelly’s third runner at the meeting Justin Fun also ran a credible fourth.

Meanwhile Williamson made it a hat trick of winning drives when he trained and drove Markthewarrior to win race 9, the Equine Veterinary Services Mobile Trot.