Branxholme neighbours rate their teams

Harness racing trainers Alister Black and Nathan Williamson are neighbours and they both have strong teams down to race at the Northern Southland Trotting Club meeting at Ascot Park on Thursday (Jan. 19).

In Race Two Williamson has Onwardsandupwards (Art Major). She was pushed wide on debut and battled for a solid sixth. She gets a nice handy draw at three.

“She got back in the running on debut and had to come wide round the bend. She hit the line well and should be better for that run. She’s a mare that’s going to get better with racing so on her draw she’s a top three chance,” Williamson said.

In Race Four Alister Black starts his day with Dont Ask (Father Patrick) who was late getting clear when she resumed at Cromwell and ran home for third.

“I was really happy with the run. She hadn’t raced for near on ten months. She’s had no end of problems, but I think we’re slowing getting on the other side of them now. It’s probably a winnable race for her. She’s trained on really well and outside of Captain Tom for value she’s my best bet,” Black said. 

In Race Five, Black lines up talented Captain Tom (Captaintreacherous) who was impressive at Omakau and is likely to run favourite.

“I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s bright, really happy and his work’s been great. Whatever beats him will be a very good horse. There’s a couple of nice ones in there – With Style (Bettor’s Delight) and The Orange Roughy (Betterthancheddar).”

In the Pryde Easifeed Southern Lights, Black has Wai Key Wee (The Pres) set to start.

“He went massive at Gore on the grass and in hindsight I should have missed Omakau with it being a short turn around. I‘ve freshened him up. His heart rate is really good but it’s a really nice field, probably stronger than Omakau if not stronger with Love N The Port and Oscar Bonavena in it. If they go hard and he doesn’t have to chase he’s definitely a top four chance.”

Nathan Williamson has Andy Hall (Andover Hall) in the same race.

“He was a wee bit disappointing last start but he’d had a bit of racing so he may have been a bit tired. We’ve freshened him and he’s had a very light training week. He raced well at Cromwell but was a bit flat at his last start and wasn’t travelling the same. I’m hoping for a better showing but it’s a strong field, so he’ll need to bring his best manners.” 

Escobar (Betterthancheddar) draws the inside of the second row with Williamson in Race Eight. He over raced at his last start.

“He’s got a tricky draw – on the second line. I think he’s come on from his last run and he’s definitely good enough. He was shorter (fitness) than I thought last week as well. With any luck he’s a top four shot.” 

In the Macca Lodge Northern Southland Cup Pembrook Playboy (Bettor’s Delight) the winner of this race in 2021 will come into the pacing feature fresh after starting in November’s New Zealand Cup.

“I’m happy with his health. He had a respiratory infection going into his last start. We’ve had him rescoped and he’s all clear. He seems well in himself. There’s a fitness query first up (since November) without any workouts or trials. We’ll line him up and hopefully it’s a stepping stone to other races.”  

Hangin With Hector (Bettor’s Delight), rounds out Williamson’s day in Race Eleven. He appeared to struggle around the tight Roxburgh circuit at his last start.

“He’s another one that’s just going to get better with racing because he’s quite a good doer. He made a mistake on the first bend at Roxburgh which put him out of play. If he doesn’t do any work in this race and hits the line, I’d be happy with that. He’s one that should keep improving and he’s not the worst.”

Alister Black also finishes his day in Race Eleven with the consistent Rightazz (Always B Miki). He stormed home late at his last start at Cromwell.

“He’d never been on the grass before and when he got out he did make good ground late. Unfortunately, he’s drawn thirteen and being at Invercargill and a thousand metre track it’s a bit hard for him to get around. He’ll have to get put into the race at some stage. I’ll leave that up to Brad (Williamson). I changed his training prior to Cromwell and I think he’s really enjoying it. He’ll go near enough.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink