Winton winner sees Williams hit 800

By Jonny Turner

Tim Williams couldn’t have been better dressed for his 800th driving win in New Zealand with Aardie B Miki at Winton on Wednesday.

Williams weaved a path for the three-year-old to be able to sprint best to seal the milestone victory in the colours of his employer Stonewall Stud.

Delighted to score his 800th victory, the reinsman couldn’t think of better colours to notch his milestone victory in.

“It’s a big thrill, obviously great to get these colours on they’re a big part of what I do these days,” Williams said.

“It couldn't have come in a better set of colours.”

The Cantabrian was also thrilled to notch the victory while on a working holiday in Southland with his partner Aimee Edmonds and their two sons Max and Levi.

“It is really cool – we have obviously been down for the last week or 10 days and we’ve been well looked after and they’ve really enjoyed the trip,” Williams said.

Williams' career began with the Robert Dunn stable in Canterbury before the talented reinsman stopped off in Southland to work for trainer Wayne Adams, ahead of his tenure at the powerful All Stars barn.

Though Williams didn’t spend as long in the south as he has with other Canterbury trainers, he was quick to acknowledge the impact of his southern stint on his career.

“A big thanks to everyone along the way – I couldn’t have done it without every single one of them.”

It wasn’t long after Williams left Southland that he drove the first of what would go on to be 18 Group One victories that make up his 800-win tally.

The latest of those came in the Stonewall Stud colours with another talented filly in Aardiebytheseaside in the New Zealand Oaks.

Whether Aardie B Miki can reach those heights is yet to be seen, but she does have plenty of improvement in her as she is yet to fully switch onto the racing game.

“She is getting better all the time; she is a little bit green,” Williams said.

“Obviously in front early, she was having a good look at everything.”

“I think this trip will be the making of her, and she will get a bit of ringcraft under her.”

“Hopefully when she comes back later in the season for the (Southland) Oaks, she will put her hand up again.”

As well as his 800 victories in New Zealand, Williams has won eight races in Australia, including the Group One Victoria Oaks with Piccadilly Princess in 2016.