Successful Warrnambool trainer Matthew Williams has had some talented gallopers under his care and it is timely we chat to him today with the Woodford Cup a feature of today’s Warrnambool meeting – a race he has won several times and looking to be a big chance with last year’s winner Unseen Ruler again hard to beat.
What is your first racing memory?
Foxboy winning the 1997 Grand Annual Steeplechase here at Warrnambool.
Who is your favourite horse and why?
Harbour Views, I felt that if he was sound he would’ve been a Group 1 horse; he hardly ever had a sound day in his career.
Who is the best horse you’ve been involved with?
Gailo Chop, he was a multiple Group 1 winner before we got him and he ran second in the Kingston Town Stakes and third in the Underwood Stakes for us.
And the best horse you have seen?
Black Caviar.
Who is your ‘what if’ horse?
Wangoom, he was owned by ourselves and family members. We had him sold to Hong Kong for $500k but he failed the vet – he is now our eventer/showjumper/stable pet!
Who do you admire most in racing?
Anyone who is successful because it is a tough gig.
What is one change/improvement you’d love to see in racing?
Scrap Sunday racing, I enjoy having Sundays off.
What is your favourite pastime outside of racing?
Eventing and showjumping, especially with the kids now that they have got involved.
What is your favourite movie?
Bit of an old favourite, The Man From Snowy River.
What slogan summarizes your outlook on life?
The harder you work the luckier you get.
Favourite food?
A good steak.
Favourite racecourse?
Flemington.
If you weren’t a racehorse trainer what would you be doing?
I’m a qualified fitter and turner so I’d be doing some of that work somewhere.
