GRAHAM FISCHER
POPULAR harness racing identity Jamie
Williams trained his first winner since renewing
his licence at Globe Derby Park on
Saturday.
Edwin Bromac, after seconds at his first
two runs from a spell, returned to the winning
list with an all-the-way victory in the John
Rothe Video Pace (1800m).
Backed from $1.90 into $1.70 favourite,
Edwin Bromac, driven by Corey Johnson,
cruised to the early and lead and was never
troubled in scoring a five-and-a-half metre
win from Sovereigne Bay ($6) with Steinman
($6.50), nearly two metres away third.
While he is listed as the trainer, Williams
played down his part, believing it to be a
group effort.
Williams took out his licence when his employer,
Cormack Racing, relocated its main
trainer Greg Norman to a property at Charlton
in country Victoria.
Cormack Racing, comprising Terry Cormack
and his sons Adam and Ben, are passionate
harness enthusiasts and have set up
an impressive training and breeding property
just outside Two Wells. Norman was training
from the property, but the need for a return on
investment meant the Cormacks moved him
to Charlton where there were more opportunities
to race and pick up prizemoney.
Williams was left in charge of the Two
Wells property with a band of broodmares
and foals, but also to train a few runners.
Edwin Bromac raced out of the Charlton
base last year, but was returned to South Australia
for a spell, then prepared for another
campaign.
Williams was the Australian Junior Driving
Champion in 1984, but had a break from the
sport in the early 2000s.
“I was working outside the industry for several
years when Ben Cormack gave me a call
and asked whether I would like to be part of a
new property the family had established outside
Two Wells,” Williams said.
“Ben, his brother Adam and father Terry,
had installed Greg Norman as the trainer and
were looking for someone to help him look
after the racehorses, yearlings, broodmares
and foals – plus also property maintenance.
“I met with the Cormacks and liked what
they had to offer.”
In the 1990s, Williams worked as stable
foreman for John Justice and said it had been
a wonderful experience.
“I learnt so much from John, it was an invaluable
time. To trackwork horses such as
Tip Top Prince and Lenin was brilliant,” he
said.
Reflecting on his long history in the sport,
Williams said the best horse he drove in those
days was Palis Pride.
“I won a race called the Gramel Pace at
Moonee Valley which was a career highlight,”
he said.