Defining day for Williamson

Monday will be a defining day for Southland harness racing trainer Nathan Williamson as he takes most of his stable stars to Ashburton for Flying Stakes Day.

“It’s the lead into Cup Week so this meeting was always going to be our first Christchurch target. Hopefully we’re competitive,” Williamson said.

Flying Ellie (Art Major) and Ruby Roe (Captaintreacherous) front for the stable in the $30,000 Nevele R Fillies Series Heat.

Barrier Two should suit Flying Ellie.

“She seems to have come through that run the other day well. She’s got good gate speed as she’s shown this time in and I think she’s definitely a top three chance.”

Because she’s already won a heat of the Nevele R Series, Ruby Roe gets an outside draw and is likely to be taken back early.

“It isn’t ideal but she needs a race leading into Cup Day and there are no other options for her. She’s in good fettle and you’d like to think she’d be steaming home at the end.”

Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) fronts up in the $30,000 Dunstan Horse Feeds Two Year Old Fillies Sires Stakes Heat.

She too gets a good marble at three with her main opposition drawn to her outside or on the second row.

“It looks that way (draw) on paper. She’s a lovely wee filly that I’ve got a bit of time for so hopefully she can impress against the best.”

Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) takes his place in the $50,000 Listed Garrard’s Sires’ Stakes Sophomore Classic.

Williamson says he’s disappointed in his two starts this campaign.

“I gave him the benefit of the doubt first up, thinking he probably just needed the run. The other day at Oamaru he did a bit of work and that may have been his undoing in terms of the result. He’s steering well, so we’ve got that sorted. But he didn’t let down like he can and had a massive blow afterwards.”

So rather than pump more work into the entire, Williamson has gone in the other direction.

“He’s always been a horse that’s been a bit fragile and less work seems better for him. We train him more like a thoroughbred. He hasn’t done any strenuous work since Oamaru, so we’ll keep him that way to see if we can get a better result.”

Williamson has no set plans on how he’s going to drive Dreams Are Free at Ashburton.

“I’ll drive him on how he feels. On his day he’s very adaptable. At Oamaru he felt quite lethargic. We’ll be looking for a bit more spring in his step. There’s a very fine line with him.”

Joeking (Majestic Son) faces his biggest test in the $40,000 Group Three Neumann’s Tyres Vipal Hambletonian Three Year Old Classic.

The talented gelding draws barrier four in a classy field of young trotters.

“I was really happy with him the other day. He had to do a lot of chasing and ran a creditable time. I think he’ll improve and come on from that race. It’s a big step up but he’s not without a top four or five chance. He’s made mistakes from behind the mobile before. He’s a lot more mature now so hopefully he’s forgotten about that.”

The John and Katrina Price trained Advance Party (Bettor’s Delight) starts in the $60,000 Group Two Mid-Canterbury Owners Ladies Sprint. While the Prices are away in the States, Advance Party has been in the care of Williamson who will drive her on Monday.

“She seems in good fettle, bright and very well. She strikes some really top mares in that race so we’ll be relying on a wee bit of luck but she’s not without a chance.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink