Pembrook Playboy won’t start in the Invercargill Cup

Much as he intended for Pembrook Playboy (Bettor’s Delight) to race in this Saturday’s Group One $100,000 Ascot Park Hotel Invercargill Cup, Southland harness racing trainer Nathan Williamson has confirmed the 2021 winner and last year’s runner up won’t be there.

“He had a wee bit of a bug during Cup Week and he’s taken a bit longer to come back. We’ll give him a trial or two and then go to Omakau with him fresh. I’m a big fan of what they’ve done for the Invercargill Cup, but we’ll just build the horse up by racing in a 2000 metre mobile (Omakau) and work from there.” Williamson said.

After Omakau they’ll go to the Northern Southland Cup on 19th January.

However, Williamson has confirmed he’ll have a runner in Saturday’s feature with Sand Wave (Somebeachsomewhere) highly likely to run.

“I’ll work him in the morning (Monday). He seems to have come through his last run well, but I’ll know more tomorrow. He raced really well last week. He’s travelled home and is eating so we’re happy with how he is.”

Meanwhile Williamson was suitably impressed with Captain Tom’s (Captaintreacherous) win at Winton on Thursday.

The two year old trained by Alister Black skyed away to impressively win his first race by three and a quarter lengths, running the 1609 metres in 1-53.9.

“Phenomenal. He’s got everything and I think he could be the next best horse to come out of Southland to be honest.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink