Nathan Williamson gets first Group One training win

The elation from Southland harness racing driver Nathan Williamson was clear to see after Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) crossed the line in the $200,000 Group One Dunstan Sires’ Stakes Two Year Old Fillies Final at Addington this afternoon.

“I’m rapt to nail it today for Mick (Boots) and my staff,” Williamson said.

It was the Southland trainer’s first Group One win in the training ranks and completed a great week for Southern reinsmen with Williamson’s good mate Craig Ferguson also winning his first Group One as a driver on Marketplace on Cup Day.

Today’s fillies feature certainly had its share of drama.

Winelight broke shortly after the mobile dispatch, checking stablemate General Jen which changed the complexion of the race.

Williamson who started from two on the second row was able to track through nicely to get on the back of Allets who took the one one early. When Stella Rouge was taken to the lead it left Allets parked and Captains Mistress in the one one. Favourite Youretheonethatiwant was left three wide with Allet’s driver John Dunn not prepared to let Youretheonethatiwant progress to the parked position. When the favourite started to tire Williamson was able to get his filly trucking, but leader Stella Rouge had a decent break on the chasers.

Halfway down the straight Captains Mistress looked to be battling but she came again to beat Stella Rouge by a head with Arafura a length back in third.

CAPTAINS MISTRESS REPLAY

“She showed real heart today. I thought she might just come out and go zap but it took her a while to wind up. I called out her for everything she had in the last 100 metres. It was a relief to get the job done. She really wanted to win and that was the key,” Williamson said.

The winning time was 2-25.0.

The win was the fillies fourth in just six starts and elevates her to the top spot in the end of season $100,000 Ace Of Diamonds at Addington on 29th November.

It’s fifteen years since Williamson drove his last Group One winner Springbank Richard, in the 2009 Dominion Handicap.

“It’s been a long time between drinks. There’s been a lot of close calls like a nose in the Group One Diamond Creek Farm Classic in April at home.”

Captains Mistress, who’s a half sister to Merlin, was purchased as a weanling by Australian Mick Boots from her breeders Todd and Fleur Anderson.

“Mick’s been a huge supporter of mine and to win a race like this is huge.”

It’s been a great carnival for Boots; he’s the major shareholder in Tuesday’s $1,000,000 New Zealand Cup winner Swayzee.

Meanwhile Williamson had no luck in the $500,000 ‘The Velocity’ with Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) dropping out and running last.

Williamson said the colt had breathing issues which will be fully investigated in the coming week.

For complete race results, click here.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink