Ferguson and Williamson talk Northern Southland

Oamaru harness racing trainer Phil Williamson and Wyndham horseman Craig Ferguson line up some key players at the Northern Southland meeting at Ascot Park Invercargill tomorrow.

Williamson has won the Group Three Prydes Easifeed Southern Lights six times and this year has a three pronged attack on the $40,000 Group Three trotting feature.

Jimmy Carter (The Pres) is in the best form of his career and latterly has been finishing his races  really well.

Last year’s winner Love N The Port (Love You) seems to have fared well in the handicaps, starting off 15 metres with likely favourite Smokin Bandar (Monkey Bones). The 2700 metres will suit the six year old.

Back marker Majestic Man (Majestic Son) will start off 25 metres. He won this race in 2019 as a four year old. He has a consistent formline.

Majestic Man will be driven by Nathan Williamson and Phil rates the horses as his best chance in the Southern Lights.

Craig Ferguson lines up last start winner Smokin Bandar in the Southern Lights. He received a perfect trip when winning at Omakau and will need to get a similar run to feature in the finish on Thursday.

Ferguson’s runner in Race Eight is Nutcracker (Bettor’s Delight) which came home late up the inside at her last start, to run a close third in the Cromwell Cup. Being the highest assessed horse, she draws the outside of the front row and will be handled by the stable’s junior driver Max Hill.

Da Vinci (Art Major) faces the biggest test of his short career in lining up in the Macca Lodge Northern Southland Cup. The four year old charged home late to win the Cromwell Cup but tomorrow’s $40,000 feature is another level.

Ferguson drove last year’s winner Macandrew Aviator to win.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink