When Kayleb Williams partnered Mi Ju Dan to win at his first race drive on King Island on 5 December 2020, he was unsure about what his future in harness racing was, and he had never given thought about leaving the Island.
Fast forward to Monday night at Burnie, and 99 wins later, the now Carrick-based reinsman is the latest Tasmanian reinsman to record 100 career wins.
The milestone was reached when the Kent Rattray-trained Rockandahardplace ($4.60) overcame a 10-metre handicap to claim the Thank You Ridgley Rascals – Relay For Life Pace (2180m).
“It’s a monkey off my back. I had been stuck on 99 (wins) for a few weeks, and it’s a huge thrill to get it done.
“I didn’t know at that point in time if I would leave the Island, but a big thank you to the Rattray family who brought me over to Tassie and it’s just gone on from there,” said Williams.
Settling one-out and three-back, Williams moved on the pacer, leaving the home straight on the first occasion, to end up leading the one-wide line for the final 1500m of the race.
Williams drove an aggressive race over the final 600m, with the gelded son of Pet Rock drawing clear late to score by 2.9m over Sabine ($4) and Fleetwood Rock ($9) in a mile rate of 2:04.5s.
“I thought he was the best horse in the race, and I decided to drive him like that, and we got to the death cheaply, and he was really good late.”
Williams made it 101 career wins when partnering the Geoff Smith-trained Im Quite American ($7.50) to victory in the night’s final race.
The driver plans to visit leading New South Wales trainer-driver Luke McCarthy in the near future for a week’s stay to utilise his Launceston and Carrick Pacing Club’s Encouragement Award, which he won in 2024.
Liam Older recorded his 150th career winner on the Burnie card, when winning aboard former Burnie Cup winner, Dazzle Me ($5) in the opening race, the win was the first leg of a race-to-race double for the Yole stable when Kiavino Stride ($12) won a National Rating 50 or better stand.
Charlie Castles also recorded a training and driving double, winning with Tullah Girl ($8) and Alwaysatiger ($3.70).
