By Duane Ranger (Courtesy of Redcliffe Paceway)
His parents both trained winners, as did both of his grandfathers. Now third generation horseman, Toby Williams has followed in their footsteps.
The 20-year-old who graduates as a High School teacher at the end of the year, nailed his first training victory when Camroller led from go to woe in race three at Redcliffe Paceway last Wednesday night.
Williams has only had his licence for 18 months and was delighted that he could emulate the feats of his parents Scott and Tracey, and his grandfathers, Max Williams and Trevor Holbeck.
“They’ve all trained and apart from grandfather (Max) they have all driven a winner as well. To be honest I was relieved more than anything. It’s been a long wait. I always thought he was capable of winning one and on Wednesday he had the perfect draw (1) to do just that.
“I’ve grown up around horses and when I left Tamborine Mountain College I went straight to The University Of Southern Queensland (February 2018) to study to be a teacher.
“I never even thought about training horses, and here I am with a year to go in my studies, I’ve already trained my first winner. It was a great feeling to do that, especially after my family have all achieved the same feat,” Williams said.
“I’m actually lucky to be here at all, because Mum had a severe accident before I was born. She could have easily died in a race-fall,” he added.
Williams explained that when his mother was 18, she was leading on pacer at the Rocklea Show and broke her back.
“Apparently every horse in the field went over the top of her and she took a year to recover. She crushed three vertebrae.
“It didn’t put me off though because I intend on applying for my C-grade driver’s licence soon,” he said.
Williams said he was prompted to give training standardbreds a try when his parents became involved in other careers.
“Dad managed the Beenleigh Abattoir and Mum owned her own curtain business. I noticed that all their gear and equipment was just sitting there laying idle and I put it to them that I should use it all.
“I said that even though I was studying I should still apply for my licence. They agreed and fast forward 18 months and I’ve finally had my blue and white silks salute the judge.
“It was a top drive by Trent (Moffat). He rated the horse perfectly in front and just held on to win. He’s driven him in his last six starts now,” said Williams.
Camroller paced the 2,040m mobile in 2:32.5 with a 2:00.3 mile rate. The Million Dollar Cam 8-year-old gelding has now notched up four wins from his 59 starts.
He’s also placed seven times. His head victory was his first win in five starts this season. He also ran second on the same track on January 13. Williams got him off former trainer, Stephanie Graham, in June last year.
“I guess I was always destined for some sort of life in harness racing. When I was young, Mum and Dad would have about half a dozen horses in work and we would often head off to Rocklea in the weekend,” Tamborine-born Williams said.
Because of his commitments to his studies and a part-time job delivering feed, Williams said he was happy for now just training two horses – Camroller and the 2009 Miles McCool gelding, Mister Elegant.
“Mister Elegant is the best horse our family has had. He’s raced for almost a decade, and has won 23 races and more than $100,000.”
Williams insisted that becoming a High School teacher was his main priority.
“Long-term, I’d like to have five or six horses in work, be a hobby trainer and teach one day, but for now but I just don’t have the time.
“My parents were quite proud as well. They congratulated me because they knew it had taken a lot of hard work and juggling a lot of time. I’m just so pleased to have broken my duck,” Williams said.
He said Camroller would start again at Albion Park on Saturday, while Mister Elegant was still overcoming minor injuries.
Williams then paid a tribute to his partner, Ella Wentworth (pictured).
“Ella has been a major support in training and travelling with me to the races each week. She also works the horses on days when University and work gets busy.
“Without her this win would not have been possible,” he stressed.
