Max Hill wants to wave goodbye to Wyndham with a win
Jonny Turner • September 3rd, 2025 9:43 AM • 3 min read
Max Hill showed he’s no hidden talent with his peach of a winning drive on Robyns Hustler at Winton on Sunday.
Hill saved every inch of ground on the Ross and Chris Wilson-trained pacer, who went from last on the home turn to first at the winning post with a sharp burst of speed.
The victory has come not long after Hill put himself on the employment marketplace to acquire a new position.
After around three years with Craig Ferguson’s Wyndham barn, in the coming weeks Hill will move to work for Nathan Williamson at Wallacetown.
That will put the junior driver in the rare position of being able to combine the knowledge of two of Southland’s leading trainers.
“I am looking forward to the challenge,” Hill said.
“It has been great working with Craig and Mark (Hurrell), especially with both of them being drivers.”
“On the training side, there have been a lot of nice horses in the stable.”
“I was lucky enough to drive a few of them, winning on Smokin Bandar at Addington would be right up there.”
“That was pretty special for my career.”
“A few rugby boys raced her, so it was always a lot of fun to get a win for them.”
Hill heads to the Williamson barn keen to build on what he has learned under Ferguson.
“They’re both good trainers, but everyone has their different ways and it will be good to learn Nathan’s way of doing things.”
“He’s a great trainer and a good driver as well, which is obviously a big plus.” “It’s a great opportunity at Nathan’s and it is a chance to stay in Southland.”
Before shifting squads, Hill will link up with one of Edendale’s favourite sons in Craig Laurenson at their home track on Thursday.
The trainer produced Dragoness for a stylish fresh-up win at Winton last week and is out to double up.
Hill takes the reins in the hope of landing a penalty-free win.
“Craig really likes her. From the day she qualified he has been quite excited about her.”
“She has had a few issues with her manners along the way, but she did everything right last week and he seems to be on top of everything.”
“She should be a pretty good chance on Thursday.”
Since beginning his career in Ranfurly Shield country, Hill has 39 career driving wins. Five of those victories have come with Robyns Hustler.
“He’s very competitive in that grade, he won the Winter Rewards Final and he’s been in great form right the way through.”
“The Wilsons have been great for my career, I’d say the majority of my wins have come for them."
Hill will aim for win number 40 in one of the last meetings he can call Young Quinn Raceway his home track, on Thursday.
