Million dollar crop for the Northern Derby

Tomorrow night at Alexandra Park thirteen harness racing three year olds will front up in the Group One $200,000 2023 Woodlands Stud Northern Derby.

The classy crop has won collectively over $1.1 million dollars with Cold Chisel (Always B Miki) holding the biggest account balance of $234,763.

After having a stunning debut in Auckland last week in a heat of the Garrard Sires Stakes, the Nathan Williamson trained Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) is one of the favoured runners in the Derby but he’s drawn the outside of the front line.

“It could have been better. I watched the Box Seat this morning and they thought Chase The Dream had a tricky draw, but I think he’s got the best draw at two on the second row. He’s going to sit in the running line, not do any work over the first part and then Natalie (Rasmussen) can put him into the race when she sees fit. That draw would have been my ideal for my horse, but you can’t do anything about it. You just have to deal with what you’ve got,” Williamson said.

He has no pre-set plan leading into Friday’s feature pace.

“We’ll just weigh it up when the gate leaves. Doing work at the beginning of a 2700 metre race can sometimes be the undoing of horses. It’s no secret that I’ll be looking at putting him in a forward position at some stage.”

Williamson’s team has been stabled at the Clevedon property used by Matthew White and he say’s Dreams Are Free is happy in his environment.

“I’ve been most impressed with the colt and he’s done the opposite to what I thought would possibly happen. The timing’s been perfect. He just turned the corner before we headed north. He’s thrived on the trip and every day he’s got better.”

Williamson finds himself in the position of training and driving one of the Northern Derby favourites, but he says it not weighting heavy on his mind.

“I don’t feel the pressure of driving. It’s more about making sure you keep your horses 110%. I’m happy with the way all my horses trained this morning (Wednesday). They all seem happy and well. I’m much more relaxed following their work today. Matty (White) drove Flying Ellie and I drove Ruby Roe while he drove a galloping pacemaker and I drove Dreams Are Free.”

Williamson is under no illusion the task won’t be easy but feels if his horse can get some favours he’s up to the quality of Friday’s field.

The name Purdon has often featured on the honours board of the Northern Derby. Between Barry and Mark they’ve won nearly half the Northern Derbys in the last forty odd years.

With the quality of the crop and the talent set to run, the race record could be seriously under threat. It’s held by 2020 winner Amazing Dream which ran the 2700 metres from the mobile in 3-16.2. The New Zealand record for the age group is held by Chase Auckland (3-16.8).

For complete race entries, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink