Williams: Zest Can Excel In Richmond Oaks

ALLEN Williams is confident that Zest To Excel can run her way into the thick of things in Friday night's Group 2 Ladbrokes Richmond Oaks Final (535m).

In what's been an emotional week for Williams' Lilley Lodge operation, Zest To Excel, a stylish 30.82 heat winner last week, exits box two in Friday night's $40,000 to-the-winner Oaks blockbuster at the western Sydney circuit.

Last week, greyhound racing lost one of its own when Bev Mahoney, who has been an integral part of the Lilley Lodge setup with husband Denis for the past 2 ½ years, sadly passed away following a battle with illness.

Before their time at Lilley Lodge, Bev and Denis enjoyed considerable training success, most notably with their 2004 Sydney Cup winner Resigned.

"It's been a difficult time and for myself and Henny we've been focusing on being there for Denis and giving him the time he needs," Williams said.

"Bev was a strong minded woman and she and Denis worked well as a team. She was very hands on at home and brought a lot of knowledge. Bev will be sadly missed by a lot of people.

"Just recently she said to me how much being at Lilley Lodge had meant to her – with its beautification and peace.

"I've told Denis I'm adopting him into our family – whether that's a good or bad thing I'm not sure," Williams said with a grin. "But one of my big philosophies is making sure you enjoy your life and treat family well."

With family and friends saying goodbye to Bev at a funeral service on Wednesday, there would be no more fitting sendoff than if Zest To Excel can capture Friday night's Richmond Oaks Final, a scenario Williams says isn't beyond the realms by any stretch.

"Let me say this … I wouldn't swap her for any other runner in the final," Williams said of Zest To Excel, currently $14 with TAB.

"If things go her way she can win. I respect the favourite (Wild Flyer), how can you not with her running 30.43? But if for whatever reason she doesn't turn up with her A-game I give my bitch a good chance. The draw looks to suit.

"The other favourite Fire On Ice is right in it as well. She beat us two starts back at The Gardens but my bitch loves Richmond and she's very strong … I've got no doubt she'll get a strong 600 … her run home times are exceptional."

Zest To Excel is from Williams' former mighty group winning sprinter turned stud dog Allkel To Excel out of Caviar To Excel.

The six in the litter have raced 187 times for a cool 45 wins and 70 placings, boasting the exceptional winning strike-rate of 25 percent.

Their collective prize money is closing in on $100,000, a mark that will be significantly exceeded if Zest To Excel can capture Friday night's $40,000 to-the-winner Oaks.

"We've had a few setbacks lately but you need to keep moving forward," Williams said.

"I don't know how far Salute To Excel was going to win by at Wenty a couple of weeks ago but he dropped a back muscle in the run," Williams said. "And sadly we lost Gust To Excel."

Over the past 12 months, Williams has rugged up 273 runners for 76 winners and 91 placings, boasting the mighty impressive training strike-rate of 28 percent.

Exceptional results for an operation that's prepared to live and die by the sword.

I'm a risk taker and you could say I did that putting my faith in Allkel To Excel with my brood bitches," Williams said.

"He throws a magnificent pup and I couldn't be happier with how things are turning out. Hopefully on Friday he becomes a group winning sire.

“As I said, I wouldn't swap her for anything else."