It’s time for the Oaks folks

Southern harness racing trainer Nathan Williamson has a strong hand in this years $60,000 Group Two Macca Lodge-Nevele R Southern Oaks at Ascot Park on Sunday.

It’s a race he likes to target every year and he won it for the first time last year with Flying Ellie.

This year he has a two pronged attack with Utah Jazz (Bettor’s Delight) and Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous).

Utah Jazz is unbeaten from three starts and appears to be getting better with each run. She draws barrier seven in the filly’s feature.

“Tricky draw. I’ve never asked her to run off the gate. She’s drawn wide alleys in all of her starts and settled back and improved into the race when needed. The 2200 probably gives her the chance to go back and settle. It’ll be up to Craig (Ferguson) to decide whether he wants to shoot around or if they’re going quick enough, they can stay put. She’s in good form and seems very well,” Williamson said.

Star filly Captains Mistress is likely to start favourite. She was last year’s Two Year Old Filly of the Year and oozes class. She will however have to navigate barrier two on the second row.

“The draw could have been better but it could have been a lot worse too. She should get a run through from there and hopefully end up in a nice spot. She’s got the class to be one of the ones to beat.”

Williamson says that Sunday’s race could show how much Utah Jazz has improved against his benchmark filly.

“I’ve never compared them or worked them together and found out either way. Captains Mistress was naturally talented and a brilliant two year old. She’s come back well and has strengthened up. Just on class alone and being there done that, you’d have to say that Captains Mistress is a length or two superior at this stage. I’d be happy to be proven wrong.”

Three facts about the Southern Oaks

• Like the Supremacy the Southern Oaks has reverted back to a 2200 metre mobile. The last time it was run over this distance was 2014 when Royal Counsel won the fillies feature. Her time of 2-39.4 is the race and track record for three year old fillies.
• Allan Beck, Dexter Dunn and Ricky May are the three most successful drivers in the race with four wins apiece.
• This year will be the 26^th year that Nevele R have been joint sponsors of the Oaks.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink