Randy Goulding: Hastings Racecourse has skilled analyst in Bailey Williams

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It’s nice to see an increasing number of ladies shifting into roles historically dominated by males, together with in horse racing.

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At nearly each racetrack in North America now, at the least one individual on the broadcasting group analyzing races is a girl.

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Hastings Racecourse isn’t any exception, with Bailey Williams aboard because the paddock analyst. Together with her in depth expertise in racing, she is aware of what she’s speaking about.

Williams grew up round horses in Alberta, the place her father, Rod Heggie, is a coach and her mother, Pam, a small breeder. Her dad and mom needed her to pursue a profession exterior of horse racing, however Williams had different plans.

“They actually needed me to go to school,” mentioned Williams. “I needed a profession in racing, so I went to Florida, the place I galloped horses for coach Niall Brennan.”

Brennan, a former jockey in Eire, runs the Niall Brennan Stables, which has established itself as one of many high thoroughbred coaching amenities within the U.S.

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Williams made her option to Vancouver to gallop horses for the late Glen Todd. It was Todd who advisable her for the paddock analyst place in 2021. He had seen her on CTV when on horseback she interviewed the profitable jockeys within the 2014 and ’15 Canadian Derby. Williams had no formal coaching for the place, nonetheless she has spent hours finding out others in the identical position, particularly ladies.

“My favourites are Britney Eurton and Andi Biancone,” mentioned Williams.

Eurton is predicated in Southern California and Biancone in Florida. Each of their dad and mom are outstanding trainers.

Williams has a mode much like Maggie Wolfendale, the paddock analyst for the New York Racing Affiliation. It’s not stunning contemplating that each work as train riders within the mornings.

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“I feel getting on horses within the mornings helps me with my paddock job,” mentioned Williams, who primarily gallops for Rob VanOverschot, Frank Barroby and Tara Neigel. “Many occasions I’ve been on the horse I’m talking about within the paddock.”

She is married to jockey Scott Williams who’s honing in on 500 wins.

“When I’m his driving I attempt to be extra of a spouse than an analyst, “mentioned Williams.

Looks as if a wise option to maintain peace within the household.

It’ll be attention-grabbing to see what Williams has to say about Y Vee R who has a superb opportunity of profitable the final race on Saturday. The five-year-old B.C.-bred received hooked-and-cooked in a pace duel in his first begin of the yr.

Skilled by Rob Gilker, Y Vee R may very well be the lone pace this time, and he figures to maneuver ahead with a race beneath his belt. Catch him when you can.

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Blinkers off a pace horse is certainly one of my favorite performs and that’s what you get with Star Finality within the sixth race on Sunday.

The Patty Leaney-trainee misplaced because the favorite in her first begin at Hastings, however she had a giant excuse as she received off to a horrible begin.

With a greater starting, she may take them a great distance at what needs to be an honest value.

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