Team Williams unearth budding star in Tindal

By Robert Windmill

MELBOURNE, May 7 AAP - Nick Williams looks to have found another star for the family's racing team following the debut win of Tindal at Moonee Valley today.

Williams paid $130,000 for the well bred colt at last year's Melbourne Premier Yearling sale and races him with his parents, Lloyd and Suzy.

Tindal is by Testa Rossa from unraced mare Indian Spice, a half-sister to Chattanooga who won 14 races and was runner-up to Dash For Cash in the 2002 Group One Futurity Stakes.

Jockey Steven Arnold was impressed with Tindal's ability to lead all the way in today's Tatts Group Hcp (1000m) and predicted there was more improvement to come.

"He's got a nice action and is a lovely horse to look at," Arnold said.

"He showed nice speed and travelled beautifully in the run and on the turn gave a kick.

"He was pretty new down the straight but it was a good, solid effort and I think he has a good future."

Tindal drew away to win by 2-3/4 lengths from Fernandina with Sherpa 4-1/4 lengths away third.

Lloyd and Suzy Williams have enjoyed success in the Melbourne Cup three times with Just A Dash, What A Nuisance and Efficient last year.

Nick is the heir apparent to the racing empire and like his father has shown a flare for picking winners from the sales catalogue.

Not all the stock live up to expectations however, and each year Lloyd Williams identifies his best horses and has a dispersal sale for the rest.

Among those sold at the Williams' March dispersal was Hussonet three-year-old Merlot who took out today's Tatts Cox Plate Sales Hcp (1600m).

An $80,000 Gold Coast Magic Millions yearling, he was sold to the publicity-shy Garry Frearson for $46,000.

Merlot is the only winner Frearson has had in seven years, breaking his maiden at his first start for the Flemington trainer at Bendigo on March 29 before his last start second at Kilmore.

Meanwhile, Choose Wisely emerged as one of the most prolific two-year-old winners for trainer David Hayes this season when she posted her third victory in the Eskander's Betstar Hcp (1000m).

While not in the same class as stablemates Hips Don't Lie (four wins), Blue Diamond winner Reaan (three wins), and All American (three wins), Choose Wisely has raced six times and posted her other two wins at Oakbank and Cheltenham.

Choose Wisely was beaten for pace today but the high speed tactics of the on-pace runners suited her and she charged home to win by 1-1/2 lengths from Two Hills with Double Crossing third.

"We will probably give her another crack at a city race because she handles the wet so well," Hayes said.

AAP TURF rw/mc