Williamson trio prepare for big assignments

Branxholme harness racing trainer Nathan Williamson took three horses to the Central Southland Raceway in Winton today (Nov. 7).

“We brought them here for a workout under our own conditions,” he said.

The private workouts all with galloping pacemakers were for two Cup day horses, Pembrook Playboy (Bettor’s Delight) and Advance Party, (Bettor’s Delight) and Wyndham runner Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous).

The track was hard and fast, there was a light southeasterly breeze and the markers were four metres out from the inside running line.

Pembrook Playboy is nominated for the IRT New Zealand Trotting Cup on Tuesday and was first to work over 2400 metres, running the distance in 3-07.0.

“His work was lovely and I’m really happy with him. He’s a fairly casual dude now that’s been around the traps. He knows what he’s doing and felt really good through the line. He got home in 57 seconds which was pretty good because it was outside the cones and his last quarter was good. He’ll have another couple of good hopple runs and some cantering as well. It’s not time to be backing off.”

Williamson says he’s hoping for a good draw for Tuesday.

“Something between one and five because he’s a good beginner. If he can get a soft run on the pegs that’ll suit us.”

Advance Party was next out, running over the same distance. She’s in a very strong final of the Nevele R Fillies Final on Cup Day that features Millwood Nike (Captaintreacherous), Mantra Blue (Sweet Lou) and Aardiebytheseaside (Downbytheseaside).

“I’m really happy with her and she worked nice. She wasn’t too far away from Millwood Nike in the last Nevele R heat. If she can bring that form and gets a better marble we’d like to think she’ll be right there.”

Two year old Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) looked strong in his workout and ready to win from a good draw (2).

“He’s a lovely big horse who finished nice and strong to the line. We’re happy with his trackwork today and he should be hard to beat on Sunday.”

The workout was watched by Pembrook Playboy’s owners Chris Alcock, major shareholder in Dreams Are Free Brendon Fahy, and Katrina and John Price who own Advance Party.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink