Williams' ‘Excel-lent' Run Rolls On

THE rich run of success being enjoyed by Allen Williams and his Lilley Lodge kennels looks set to continue at Bulli this Saturday night with two live chances engaged on the ten race program.

Not one to do things by half measures, Williams' decision to send brood-bitches Caviar To Excel and Maureen's Wish to his Group 2 Healesville Cup winner Allkel To Excel is proving to be a masterstroke, the nine pups to race incredibly winning 25 of their 75 starts thus far, including another 28 placings.

As a trainer, Williams has enjoyed a tremendous past 12 months, his 114 starters returning 45 winners and 47 placings – outstanding numbers in anyone's language.

"He's thrown some very nice dogs Allkel To Excel, they are all incredibly hard and ferocious chasers with great temperaments," declared a proud Williams earlier this week.

At Bulli this Saturday night, Williams lines up two very strong chances, Latrell To Excel drawn box four in the fourth event of the program, while in race seven, litter-sister Volt To Excel returns to racing from box eight.

"He's a bit like his old man Latrell To Excel, he takes a few strides to get going but when he does he's a real sight, he's going to make a really nice dog, he's really come on the past month," said Williams.

"He was unlucky finishing second to Mark's dog (Prince Planet) at Maitland last week but it was his first look at the track which made the run even better. Before that his run at Richmond was outstanding over the 330m. He's trialled well at Bulli a while back and the track suits him down to the ground."

While Williams is understandably confident Latrell To Excel can snare a second career victory on Saturday, he's also expecting a forward performance from Volt To Excel over the 400-metres in race seven, the recent 30.10 Wentworth Park winner returning from a season.

"The morning after her last start at Wenty (April 24) she came on season," informed Williams.

"She trialled at Richmond on Tuesday and is on song for her return. She has a great record out of box eight and given she's such a hard chaser she's always in her races.

"She's been in the money her last 10 starts and missed a place just a handful of times in her 30 starts – there's probably five in the kennel 3-4 lengths quicker than her but she's as consistent and honest as any of them."

For those looking from the outside, Williams' decision to throw all his faith into Allkel To Excel at stud may have seemed a risky one, but when you actually bed down on all of the facts, it almost couldn't be further from it.

Winner of the Group 2 Healesville Cup in 2015 for Williams and trainer Kel Greenough, Allkel To Excel raced on 16 occasions for 14 scintillating wins, his two defeats gallant seconds. 12 of his 14 victories were in breathtaking best of day times.

Injury curtailed what would have been a glittering career on the track, the son of Elite State and Kingsbrae Di, a younger full-brother to Group 1 winner Paw Licking, himself forging a strong career at stud.

"What a dog Allkel To Excel was, it's scary to think what he could have been," reflected Williams.

"His winning time in the Healesville Cup was actually a world record that stood for 14 months – he was an incredible chaser and has thrown that trait right into his offspring, I couldn't be happier and I'm hoping his early results gives him the kick-start at stud he deserves."

Williams, who has been involved in greyhound racing for almost as long as he can remember, and has raced some outstanding chasers including 2008 Group 1 Association Cup winner Lilley Criminal (whom Lilley Lodge is named after), is more than happy to take the slow and steady approach with his kennel of rising stars.

"I get people from time to time asking me when I'm going to start stepping them up in distance but I know I've got the cattle with the brilliance to work through the grades so I'm just happy taking them along at my own speed," added the trainer.

"I trialled Gust, Zest and Salute To Excel at Dapto last week and was happy with how they all went – Salute To Excel slipped 24.48 which is a sub-30 run."

Salute To Excel has won six of his 14 starts, the sleek black chaser oozing ability which washes through in his performances, including an 18.59 run for the 330m at Richmond, and a blistering 25.16 Maitland romp over the 450m.

"All things being equal you will see them in there over 520m next week, Zest To Excel is in at Richmond on Friday over the 330m and that should top her off nicely for next week."

While each and every dog has their own interesting backstory, the one behind Gust To Excel is most engrossing.

"We didn't hold high hopes for her early," said Williams.

"As a pup we had her x-rayed and there were issues with her trackside growth plates – the advice wasn't good. We persevered though, kept her in a small yard and used all the remedies I've picked up over the years with salts and the like.

"At about 11 months she'd failed the adoption program twice and I was actually given the okay to euthanize with her circumstances. But we kept at it and a few days before the litter were heading down to Peter Sims to be broken-in I had a good look at her and decided to send her down to see how she went. Pete rang me one day and said she just kept improving – in the end she broke in the third quickest of the ones there.

"It's a remarkable story to tell you the truth."

Gust To Excel, an outstanding last start Richmond winner on June 4, has now faced the starter on 12 occasions for six wins a further three seconds.

"It just demonstrates what beautiful dogs and hard chasers they are," added Williams.

"I'm really looking forward to the month's ahead."    

With industry stalwarts Bev and Dennis Mahoney aiding Williams in presiding over Lilley Lodge, the relentless flow of winners shows no signs of abating anytime soon.

And for Allkel To Excel, well breeders are beginning to take notice – and rightly so.