Williamson vs Williamson in Southern Trotting Oaks

Matthew Williamson is preparing to unleash one of Princess Sadie’s (Muscle Mass) key weapons in the Dancinginthedark M Southern Trotting Oaks.

The pair have the daunting task of trying to take down superstar filly Empire City (Volstead) in the Ascot Park harness racing feature.

Empire City is set to start a red-hot favourite after beating nearly all of the rivals she clashes with on Thursday in her first spring outing at Addington last month.

With blazing gate speed and having drawn in barrier 5 on Thursday, Princess Sadie looks to get her shot to down the favourite.

While some would say beating Empire City looks an impossible task, but Williamson thinks his horse can, with one proviso.

“Sadie is very fast, so if she is at her best she could give Empire City a good run for her money.”

“She has beaten us all bar one time when she galloped out, but we possibly haven’t been at our best in some of those races which is down to the trainer.”

If Princess Sadie can charge the mobile arm and lead early, she should get her chance to down the favourite.

Whether that is done by parking out the favourite or sitting behind her will be decided when the horse hits the track.

“With her natural gate speed you would imagine Empire City would be pretty handy.”

“I am pretty hopeful Sadie would be able cross the horses inside her with her gate speed.”

“We will just see how everything pans out, but Empire City would obviously be the one everyone would be keen to follow.”

“She’s a class filly and she will be very hard to beat.”

“We are going to need to be at our best.”

A cracking last start performance has Fear And Faith the clear danger to both Empire City and Princess Sadie.

The three-year-old began fairly from barrier 1 before charging home late in her last clash with her two rivals at Addington.

If the filly could muster more gate speed for trainer-driver John Morrison it could set up a completely different race scenario.

Empire City ($1.50), Fear And Faith ($3.30) and Princess Sadie ($5.50) have dominated early betting for the Southern Trotting Oaks.

Matthew Williamson rates Delightful Peg the best of his remaining drives at the Northern Southland Trotting Club meeting in the Kubala Seeds Fillies and Mares Mobile Pace.

The two-year-old looks to be slotting into a winnable maiden race after taking on smart types at Addington recently for trainer Brad Mowbray.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand