Two well bred two year olds qualify

Perfect conditions greeted runners at today’s (Feb. 16) Winton harness racing trials and workouts at the Central Southland Raceway and two young horses trained by Nathan Williamson stole the show.

Heat One: Two Year Old Colts and Geldings over 1609 metres (qualifying time: 2-05.1)

This heat was won by the Nathan Williamson trained Always Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) who came from well off the pace to run down leader Here’s Johny (Johny Rock). Always Dreaming is a brother to Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) and a half brother to the very promising Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous). Studholme Bloodstock have a brother to Always Dreaming on offer at Wednesday’s NZB Standardbred Sales in Christchurch (Lot 301). Always Dreaming, an $85,000 purchase at last year’s sales is owned by the same ownership group that race Sand Wave.

Second placegetter Here’s Johny trained by Peter Hunter was only a neck back in second. He was bred and is owned by Bill Moffatt and Brendon McIntyre.

The winning time was 2-00.6.

Heat Two: Qualifying Mobile over 2400 metres (qualifying time: 3-11.0)

The Murray Brown trained Ted (Sweet Lou) easily won his heat by three lengths with a winning time of 3-05.7. The three year old is owned by Brown and Andrew Grierson who runs Woodlands Stud. He’s out of the Somebeachsomewhere mare Claire Bear and the stud has a half brother by Lather Up in Sunday’s NZB Standardbred Sale in Auckland (Lot 120).

Heat Three: Qualifying Mobile over 2400 metres (qualifying: 3-11.0)

Imposing pacer On The Wing (American Ideal) trained by Des Baynes just got up in this trial, beating a game Haley Jaccka (Always B Miki) by a nose. On The Wing is out of the seven win Holmes Hanover mare Holmezy who’s left Alfie Romeo (21), Sista Sammy (6), Raffy Roo (3) and Storyteller (2).

Heat Four: Two Year Old Fillies over 1609 metres (qualifying time: 2-05.1)

The well-bred Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) who’s a half sister to Merlin impressively won her trial to qualify. She came from well off the pace to nab Justanothersip (Franco Ledger) by a nose with another six lengths back to third placegetter Ada RJ (Sky Major).

The winning time was an impressive 1-58.4.

Heat Five: Qualifying Trot over 2400 metres (qualifying time: 3-21.0)

Late addition Bob Barrelit (Sundon) won his qualifying heat beating Quercus Rubra. The winning time was 3-16.7.

There’s a good number of two year olds around at the moment and trainers have a host of opportunities to take their youngsters to southern tracks over the next few months.

The next programmed two year old races are at Invercargill on the 1^{st of} March, Oamaru on March 6th, and the G3 Caduceus Club and Southland/Alabar Fillies Classic at the Northern Southland meeting on the 9^th of March.

Southern feature races for the juveniles are the G2 $60,000 Kindergarten Stakes at Wyndham on 28^th March and the $100,000 G1 Diamond Creek Classic on Diamonds Day at Ascot Park on 21^st April.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink