Leading trainers have top hopes

Southland’s top two harness racing trainers from last season Brett Gray and Nathan Williamson, both have very good chances at the Riverton Trotting Club meeting at Ascot Park on Sunday.

Gray lines up two young trotters –  Julie Jaccka (Father Patrick) and Janaka’s Delight (Bettor’s Delight) in the first race. 

Julie Jaccka debuts after qualifying on this course last month.

“She’s been going pretty good at the workouts and trials. I think she’ll go close the way she’s been going and is my best bet,” Gray said.

Janaka’s Delight has been having problems with her manners but her last start fourth indicates she may be on the improve.

“I think we’re starting to win the war with this wee girl and she’s starting to get solid. You just can’t quite let her go at this stage. We’re going to make some adjustments to her shoes tomorrow (Thursday).”

Both trainers have a starter in the Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southland Oaks Heat.

(Bettor’s Delight) will start for Williamson. She won impressively on debut last season as a two year old and her trainer is happy with her progress going into Sunday’s race.

“She’s come up well, had a few workouts and trials and gone nicely in all of them. I do expect her to improve from her run this week but I still think she’ll be hard to beat. Although she’s only had the one start they’re all three year old fillies so we’re looking forward to the challenge on Sunday. We’ll follow the Southland Oaks programme now and hopefully she can make her way into the final,” Williamson said.

Gray gears up Betta Watch Out (He’s Watching) in the three year old feature. She won her first two races last season and was then taken to Addington where she performed with credit.

“This is her first run back from a spell. She actually did pretty well up at Addington but she was disappointing at Invercargill at her last start so we turned her out. She went a really nice workout last week so we’re pretty happy with where we’re at.”

In Race Seven Williamson has Onwardsandupwards (Art Major) in good form ready to break through for her maiden win. She has an outside draw but this looks like a winnable race for her.

“She’s racing great and was just beaten by a nice horse at her last start. She’s a real gross doing horse who should keep improving. She also had a lot of time off while she was maturing. She’s just going to improve with racing and I think she’ll be hard to beat on Sunday.”

Williamson rates her as his best bet of the day.

Both trainers have runners in the last race with McLean (Sportswriter) getting the better draw at barrier three.

“Hopefully he gets a nice run. He was a wee bit unlucky the other day so he’s a chance on Sunday.”

Hangin With Hector (Bettor’s Delight) like Onwardsandupwards is improving with racing and powered home nicely at his last start.

“He’s a steady improver. I was happy with his run last start because he finished on really strongly and we’ll be looking forward to more of the same hopefully.”

The Robin Dundee Club will also be on course at Ascot Park on Sunday fundraising for Team Teal 2023. 

They’re auctioning an exclusive range of scarves and snoods from wool and fibre that have been spun, dyed, and knitted or crocheted locally and donated to the Team Teal Appeal by Art Bloxham.  

They contain a mix of combed merino wool, alpaca fibre and pure silk. There are eight scarves and two snoods to auction. They will be on display at the foot of the stairs to the members lounge.  

For complete race entries, click here

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink