Alicia’s in fast Lane

BEN Williams had the hardluck story of last month’s Pallarenda Stakes but the Charters Towers trainer believes another in his stable will be better second up at Cluden Park this afternoon.

After missing out on the riches of the $ 30,000 Pallarenda Stakes QTIS 2YO Fillies Maiden Plate and the $ 30,000 Pallarenda Stakes QTIS 2YO Fillies C & G Maiden Plate at Townsville Turf Club last month, several horses get a second crack this afternoon.

Wicked Dancer, ridden by Justin Stanley, finished second in the colts and geldings race following a protest to displace the Trevor Rowetrained Chips A Plenty and will be well supported today.

But, Williams, who has three starters in the QTIS Two- Years- Old Maiden Handicap ( 1000m), thinks Our Alicia’s Lane, who finished fourth on debut, will be the improver.

“The three of them have been going said.

“Wicked Dancer was probably the hard- luck story of the Pallarenda Stakes last month.

“He is a sprinting type of horse but seems to want to run the 1200m already.

“Another stride in the Pallarenda, he wins the race.

“Everyone is going to be looking at Wicked Dancer, more now after his first run, but I think Our Alicia’s Lane well,” Williams of mine will be the better for the second run.”

Chips A Plenty, for Rowe and stable jockey John Lambie, returns to Townsville again and will be around the mark again.

Stanley, who rode Wicked Dancer last start, shifts over to another Williams horse, Me And My Drum, while claiming apprentice Quayde Krogh rides Wicked Dancer today.

Later in the afternoon, Williams starts the in- form Easy Weekend in the Class 6 Plate ( 1000m) $ 12,000 after a smart first- up victory at the track last month.

“He is a good tough horse and he will keep them honest,” Williams said. “He is stepping up in class but he is carrying the right weight. He is a nice horse.”

The first of seven races from Townsville Turf Club jumps at 1.10pm today.

Meanwhile, local sporting identity John “Bluey” Forsyth has been included on the committee of the Cairns Jockey Club.

IN WITH A SHOT: Charters Towers trainer Ben Williams has three good chances running around at Cluden Park today.