Duchess crowned in Southern Classic

Nathan Williamson loves his trotters and you could sense his excitement about his latest trotting filly Duchess Maria (Father Patrick) after she won the inaugural $50,000 Group Three Entain Two Old Southern Classic at Ascot Park today.

Sensitive To A Smile led early with Duchess Maria dropping into the trail. With just under a lap to run, John Dunn moved forward on Brewster Baker and slotted in behind Duchess Maria. Inside the last 600 Dunn had his gelding trucking and he hit the front at the 400. As Brewster Baker straightened for the run home he started to go rough and broke, leaving Who’s Ya Daddy in front. But Duchess Maria charged home late and won by three quarters of a length.

DUCHESS MARIA REPLAY

“I was a little bit concerned at the 400 as the favourite (Brewster Baker) had got away on me. I just had to trust her speed to get me out of a bit of trouble,” Williamson said.

Prior to the start Duchess Maria broke her pole and gained clearance to race without it. Williamson said it did cause a minor issue.

“Just on the corners she was lugging in a bit. In saying that she was quite cantankerous with it on. She’s never been cranky before but she was a wee bit today.”

Williamson credited owners John and Katrina Price for giving the two year a solid foundation before she joined his barn.

“She can get a wee bit hot, so it’s a matter of just keeping her cool.”

This is the first trotter the Prices have bred and won a race with. They owned The Ivy League, which won three races for Paul Nairn.

Duchess Maria will now head to Addington for the $50,000 Group Three New Zealand Trotting Stakes.

“Win lose or draw, the trip away and the experience will be good for her. We’ve got three weeks so she’ll have a wee freshener now.”

Williamson thinks Duchess Maria will furnish into a good three year old.

“She should get better. She’s strong now and has proven she’s a nice wee horse, so I think she will only get better. I’ve got a bit of time for her. She digs in when you want her to. There’s big two year old fillies races for her in the spring so I’m very excited for her going forward.”

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink