Williamson makes surprise Derby nomination

In a surprise move, Branxholme trainer Nathan Williamson has nominated harness racing filly Ruby Roe (Captaintreacherous) for this Friday nights Garrards $300,000 Group One New Zealand Pacing Derby at Addington.

Not many fillies have taken on the boys in the long history of the race and the last to win the feature was Armalight in 1982.

Ruby Roe ran an impressive fourth in last Friday’s New Zealand Oaks, just three lengths behind winner Duchess Megxit.

“Because the horse in front of us (Remission) couldn’t take us where we wanted to go, we had to take off pretty early. She’s gone huge and is racing at the peak of her powers so she just needs a draw and an ounce of luck in a big race. We’re going to roll the dice and have a crack at the Derby,” Williamson said.

Williamson has also nominated Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) for the race. He dropped out of The Velocity on Show Day after making abnormal breathing noises.

“You couldn’t tell that there was a problem with him at home and he seemed like a perfectly healthy fighting fit horse. It just comes down to his wind and how he’s able to get it. His best chance is if we put a cornel collar on him and it works. The best he was in his wind was at Ashburton where he won and was very impressive.”

Williamson says everything seems to be back to normal with the colt and he will make a final call on accepting after he works him tomorrow morning.

“He’s going to work on Tuesday and I’m actually going to gallop the pacemaker in front of him and Ollie (Kite) is going to work him. I’ll have a good listen to his breathing and if it’s not right at that level we won’t be going.”
Williamson says after the Derby, Dreams Are Free will remain in Canterbury so more tests can be carried out.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink