Williamson looks the one to follow

Matthew Williamson is a harness racing driver to follow at his home track at Oamaru on Wednesday (Jan. 25).

The reinsman combines with a great book of drives including Jovial Jay (Sweet Lou) who caught the eye with his fresh-up effort at Winton.

The Graeme Anderson and Mike Love trained pacer raced wide in the last 1000m of his last run before going on to hit the line strongly.

With a little more luck in race 6, the pacer could take plenty of catching.

“He went great first up and he has had a trial since at Oamaru which he won.”

“He comes into the race pretty ready to go and he comes up with a good draw (4).”

“Obviously Rakanotta is the horse to beat but hopefully drawing inside her should be a big thing in our favour.”

“I’d say he’s a good chance.”

Wanna Play With Fire (Father Patrick) ran a huge race in much deeper company in her last start at Ascot Park.

The mare looks hard to beat with good manners for Williamson in race 5.

“It was a very big run at Invercargill.”

“She just shied when the tape went, it can get a few of them, especially horses that are learning.”

“If she brings manners, on her last start run you would have to say she’s the best horse in that race.”

“If she behaves herself, she should be looking pretty hard to beat.”

Rushkinoff (Sweet Lou) looks set to up his formline in race 1 on Wednesday.

The Brad Mowbray trained pacer drops significantly in class after having to race the smart Captain Tom in his last start.

“He went very well at Omakau, he didn’t lose any ground on a lot of nice horses.”

“He has drawn out a bit (6), the worry is where he ends up.”

“I think he will be a nice horse that in time is going to be pretty smart.”

“He looks a good eachway chance.”

Justin Fun (Changeover) doesn’t bring outstanding form to race 3 but she looks to get into a field she should be highly competitive in.

“I would like to think she is a good winning chance and she is probably the value out of my drives.”

Another Demon (Pegasus Spur) looks another handy chance for Williamson in race 2.

“She trialled very well here on Sunday.”

“She’s a first starter so she will need to bring her manners.”

“She finds a small field and she should be a place chance.”

The in-form Taxman (Bettor’s Delight) also looks a genuine winning threat for Williamson in race 4 while Dem Bones Dem Bones looks a rough hope in race 8.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Jonny Turner, for Harness Racing New Zealand