KEY POINTS:
Winning a group one is supposed to be the greatest thrill in racing but Phil Williamson found a way to better that yesterday.
Williamson achieved what he called the ultimate result when Jasmyn's Gift won the NZ Trotting Free-For-All at Addington at 15-1.
Not only did Williamson and his wife Bev breed, train and own the winner, he also trains third placegetter Allegro Agitato.
But even that cocktail of success wasn't the reason Williamson was beaming after the $75,000 race.
The real reason Williamson suggested the race was his proudest moment in racing was that his son, Nathan, drove Jasmyn's Gift.
It was the 19-year-old's first group one winner and comes just a year after he started driving, making him one of the young reinsman to enjoy success at that level in NZ harness racing.
"Winning any big races is great but for Nathan to drive her is special, very special," said Williamson.
"To see you own children succeed is the ultimate for any parent and he really deserves this because he is such a big part of our operation."
Nathan seemed to be taking success on the big stage in his stride, obviously having inherited his father's relaxed attitude to racing.
That is one reason the family stable emerged from virtual obscurity five years ago to have the most powerful stable of trotters in New Zealand.
Jasmyn's Gift has often lived in the shadow of her stablemate Allegro Agitato and went into yesterday's race with three recent defeats against her name.
But she was well suited by the wet track, which not only eased the pressure on her ageing joints but suited her staying prowess more than the speedsters who filled the minor placings.
In fact the race took so little out of Jasmyn's Gift she had enough energy to lash out and kick Nathan in the leg upon returning to the stable, the only low point on a stellar day.
The speedsters she beat will get a chance for revenge in next week's $150,000 Dominion Handicap, a race in which Williamson has a chance to create a new career highlight.
He will have three starters in the big race, with Allegro Agitato and Jasmyn's Gift to be joined by One Over Kenny, who returned to winning form earlier in the day at Addington.
Williamson could even justify having four starters in the Dominion, with Lets Get Serious impressive winning the first race yesterday.
"He is good enough to start in the Dominion but we will wait until he knows a little bit more."
Dominion Handicap defending champion Pompallier lost few fans with his performance yesterday.
He worked early before settling three back and was one of the few horses to make any ground when running into fourth.
He looks the biggest threat to the Williamson trio next week, with several key southerners like Whatsundermykilt and Play On disappointing yesterday.
