Racing: Williams beats odds to drive favourite

Tim Williams (right) drives Have Faith In Me to victory in the Northern Derby at Alexandra Park in March. Photo / Dean Purcell

Driver Tim Williams won two battles yesterday to regain the reins behind the Auckland Trotting Cup favourite Have Faith In Me.

Williams has been the regular driver of the exceptional pacer but was suspended for not giving him every chance to win the Summer Cup at Alexandra Park two weeks ago when he chose not to move away from the markers mid race and was later denied racing room.

Williams appealed against the severity of that sentence and his appeal has been partially successful, with the JCA appeal panel trimming one day off his suspension but increasing his fine.

That means Williams will be back driving at Alexandra Park at the huge premier meeting a week today and the second battle he won was when trainers Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen agreed to put him back on Have Faith In Me.

They and the horse's owners could have easily left co-trainer Rasmussen on after she drove Have Faith In Me last Friday, especially considering her impressive group one driving record and the fact Have Faith In Me is on the verge of an Australian campaign, where Rasmussen's home-grown experience has proven crucial in the past.

"We are happy for Tim to get a day taken off the suspension so he will definitely be on in the Cup," Purdon confirmed.

Purdon rates the four-year-old as the stable's best chance in the 3200m standing start even though his manners from behind the tapes have left plenty to be desired and he starts off the unruly, meaning he could be giving the other favourites a huge start once they settle.

The stable also has NZ Cup runner-up Smolda in the Cup as well as Franklin Cup winner Itz Bettor To Win, with Smolda the one-time favourite.

He had no luck when trapped three wide with those in front of him not moving last Friday but Purdon was happy with how he handled the right-handed track, which has been a problem in the past.

"I thought he was better right-handed than last season and he should be better again up against the markers if he can get there next week," says Purdon.

Meanwhile, trainer Mark Jones fears Master Lavros's season could be over after he was forced out of today's Flying Mile at Cambridge.

Master Lavros was second in the Lyell Creek at Alexandra Park last Friday and won the Dominion at Addington last month but a leg problem flared up on Tuesday.

"We had him looked at this morning [yesterday] and there is something wrong for sure.

"We are not sure exactly what it is but he is out for the summer and maybe for the rest of the season," Jones said.

"It is a real shame because it had been a long road to get him back to his best and I feel sorry for his owners.

"But I am extremely proud of what he achieved though."