High priced yearlings going through their paces

Harness racing trainer Nathan Williamson is putting a small group of well bred yearlings through their latest preparation at his Branxholme property.

The group includes Palladium, (Bettor’s Delight) a showy black colt which was purchased by Peter Lagan Standardbred for $200,000 and is owned by Australian Mick Boots.

Palladium is the first foal out of the three win Art Major mare Platinum who’s a daughter of De Lovely. De Lovely won twelve races including the Harness Jewels Three Year Old Diamond, the G1 New Zealand Oaks, the G1 Queen of Hearts and the G1 New Zealand Breeders Stakes.

“He looks like a natural two year old and he bowls around nicely. He’s a horse I liked at the sales and I got him in a roundabout way. Peter Lagan bought him for Mick Boots and he came to my place. He’s a very strong colt and is quite a bully so we may have to geld him. He shows a bit of natural ability and you’d like to think he’d make a young horse,” Williamson said.

Also going through his early paces is Meshino, (Bettor’s Delight) also bought by Lagan for Boots for $155,000.

He’s a full brother to Braeview Kelly, the winner of eighteen races and $494,173. Her wins included the G1 NSW Queen Elizabeth Mile in 1-49.5. Meshino is also a half brother to Ohoka Connor, the winner of ten of his eighteen starts.

“He’s probably an immature horse that’s going to take a wee bit of time but we like him. He’s going to get gelded and given a break shortly.”

Simply Amazing (Bettor’s Delight) was bought by Williamson for $75,000 and is owned by Neville Cleaver.

He’s out of Simply Devine which has left Start Dreaming, the winner of seven. At stud she’s left Don’t Start Dreaming, Dreams Are Free and Always Dreaming.

Simply Devine is also the dam of The Black Flash which was placed for Williamson and Cleaver before he was sold for big money to WA, where he’s won ten races.

“He’s not very big (Simply Amazing) but he does everything right. He’s a good wee doer, a natural young pacer and I think he’ll make a good young horse too.”

Williamson is one of the designated trainers for the newly formed TAB club and has an unnamed Art Major colt that was purchased by the club for $40,000.

He’s out of the unraced Mach Three mare Triple Sec and is a half to Justasec, the winner of twenty eight races across New Zealand, Australia and America. He’s also a half brother to Our Triple Play the winner of seventeen and $276,868.

“He’s a nice pacer and has a nice way of going. He’s going to be better suited by being a gelding but I’ll have to talk to the group (TAB Club). He’s grown quite big and is quite heavy. We’ll put him through his paces to see whether he can make a young horse.”

Another youngster on the books is Arma Arlo (Always B Miki) which was bought by Williamson for $62,500 and syndicated.

He’s the sixth foal out of the Courage Under Fire mare Arma Courage. Her pedigree extends back to Armalight the winner of a New Zealand and Auckland Cup.

“He’s a good gaited horse as well. Not that we’ve zipped them up at this stage. He too will be gelded because he’s very colty.”

Williamson says after the horses are gelded they’ll be given light exercise to help with the healing process. Some will be turned out while others will remain in work and will be assessed to see whether they’ll make two year olds in the early part of the new season.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink