Williamson unearths another smart filly

Nathan Williamson has uncovered another smart filly judging by the way the Mick Boots owned filly Utah Jazz (Bettor’s Delight) won the $20,000 final heat of the Macca Lodge/Nevele R Southern Oaks Series at Winton today.

UTAH JAZZ REPLAY

“I always said about the Griffins Syndicate that they’re really patient and Mick’s the same. He never puts any pressure on you to do anything and he’s reaping the rewards. She could have raced this time last year but she was a big filly and was green. She used to shy and step over things and get nervous. Ollie (Kite) deserves a lot of the credit because he drove her a couple of times when I was away, not asking her to finish out her work. We just wanted her to get experience without getting hot. It’s been good because she’s now hit an upward curve,” Williamson said.

In today’s three year old fillies feature Utah Jazz settled in the second half of the field before Williamson moved her forward.

“I knew the pace was being backed off. I had to get into it. She was shying a bit at Katys Shadow who was still standing at the start. When I asked her to quicken she was sharper than she was the other day.”

Williamson will now line up Captains Mistress and Utah Jazz in the $60,000 Group Two Macca Lodge/Nevele R Southern Oaks next Sunday.

Later in the day Williamson drove Betterthancash (Art Major) to win the $25,000 All Lay Carpets and Drapes Winton Cup for Yaldhurst trainer Regan Todd.

From the 1700 metres the race was led by favourite Double Jeopardy. With 1200 metres to run, Williamson took Betterthancash forward to challenge the leader by sitting parked. Cover arrived when Macandrew Aviator came round. Turning in, Williamson took the passing lane option and got up to beat Double Jeopardy by a neck with three quarters of a length back to Macandrew Aviator.

BETTERTHANCASH REPLAY

“He went great. He did that little bit of work in the middle and still finished the race off strong. He’s a good wee horse. Wherever he goes he’s competitive, he’s got good manners and he’s added a new string to his bow today. He did a little bit of work and still finished the race off. It was great.”

It was certainly a great day for Williamson. He also trained Chezz Dale to win for stable junior Ollie Kite, Our Pinocchio to win for his father Phil and he trained and drove Passchendaele to win.

Meanwhile later in the day Seaside Rose (Downbytheseaside) used her good draw to win the $40,000 Vetsouth/SSBA Southern Belle Final.

From barrier one, driver Tim Williams took the Steve and Amanda Telfer mare to the lead and she went on to win the 1609 metre feature by three and a half lengths.

SEASIDE ROSE REPLAY

Her winning time of 1-53.1 was a new race record, surpassing the previous race record of 1-53.3 which was held by the 2017 winner Break Dance. Seaside Rose’s time was also a new track record for mares.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink