A three-decade friendship with its roots in the South Island has resulted in a new racing venture.
The husband and wife team of Peter and Dawn Williams have this week united with Paul Richards in a training partnership at Byerley Park.
“Peter and I were having a yarn not so long ago and he suggested we join forces and I’m looking forward to it,” Richards said. “It’s a good opportunity for me and you never stop learning in this game.”
The Williams’ moved their operation north from Riccarton to South Auckland in late 2011 and Richards sought their advice before he and wife Leanne followed suit from their Wingatui base.
“We’ve been up here since mid-November of last year,” he said.
The former leading jockey, whose son Jamie trains under the Te Akau banner with Stephen Autridge at Matamata, forged a successful association with the Williams stable during his riding days.
“I suppose we go back 30 years and I rode a lot of winners for Peter and Dawn,” Richards said.
Among their highlights were multiple black type victories with the fillies Dame Clay and Tonic.
Since he turned to training, Richards has sent out more than 100 winners with the Group One sprinter Natuzzi his star performer. “He’s been back in work for a couple of weeks and we’ll be getting him ready for the Railway.”
The new partnership might have a Group One runner in its first week, with Shuka a possible contender for the Windsor Park Plate (1600m) at Hastings on Saturday.
Shuka resumed with a bold second, under 61.5kg, in the open 1200m at Ruakaka last weekend and might back up at Hastings.
“We will make our minds up on Wednesday morning,” Peter Williams said. “It would not be ideal [backing up at Hastings] but we have very limited options.
“We got behind the eight ball with all the wet weather but he went super [at Ruakaka] and has come through it so well.
“I would have liked him to have another run under his belt before Hastings but he’s a tough old horse.”
Stablemate Vavasour, who also ran second fresh-up at Ruakaka, is being aimed at the Coupland’s Mile at Riccarton.
The stable is likely to have three runners at Avondale on Saturday and Williams sees obvious benefits in the new partnership.
“We work well together. It will be another pair of eyes around the place and and will ease the pressure on everyone.”
