Chances good for Black and Williamson at Northern Southland

Branxholme harness racing trainer Alister Black has three good chances to Ascot Park on Friday (Oct. 7) for the Northern Southland Trotting Clubs meeting.

The two year old colt Deuce Coupe (Art Major), won on debut at Winton and will be up against some hardened campaigners in the Walker Murdoch Law Mobile Pace.

“He seems really well and has trained on, so it’s onwards and upwards with him. He’s quite a nice wee horse and if things keep improving we’ll look at running him against his age group,” Black said.

Five year old Wai Key Wee (The Pres) has won three of his last four races and starts off forty metres in the Olphert Contracting Handicap Trot. He ran fourth at his last start at Oamaru.

“He’s annoyed me. He’s been hitting the top of the straight and wanting to lay in. I’ve made a couple of gear changes to see if we can rectify that. Other than that his work is perfect.”

Sonny Maguire (Art Major) heads into the PGG Wrightson Livestock Mobile Pace in a fresh state. He’s had two workouts to fit him for his resumption.

“He’s going to need a run or two to really get sharp, but he won’t be a mile away.”

Of his three runners Black regards Deuce Coupe as his best bet of the day.

The $20,000 Haras des Trotteurs Southland Trotting Oaks raced over 2200 is the feature race on Friday’s card and the likely favourite is the unbeaten Hidden Talent (Bacardi Lindy) trained by Nathan Williamson.

In her first trip away she won the Group Three Sires Stakes Classique at Addington last month.

“She seems well, has come through the run fine and handled the trip away. She’s not a big robust filly and there were some concerns, but I’m happy with the way she’s come through. She seems bright and will be hard to beat again,” said Williamson, who’s also got Get Up N Dance (Rock N Roll Heaven) racing on Friday.

“It’s his first up run, and he’ll need it. I thought it was nice to kick him off before the Tuapeka Cup. He’s had a good base and has been in work for a long time. He was ready to go near the end of August but got a hoof abscess. He’s done plenty of work but will benefit from a race day run.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink