Williamson set to add numbers to Auckland

Southern harness racing boom colt Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) is heading north for two races in Auckland.

The heat of the Southern Supremacy Stakes that was to have been held at Oamaru had to be scrapped due to a lack of entries. So trainer Nathan Williamson has mapped out a new plan which means the three year old will have a run at the workouts at Winton on Friday before flying to Auckland on Monday.

Quality fillies Flying Ellie (Art Major) and Ruby Roe (Captaintreacherous) will also be on the plane but they’ll both start at Oamaru today in a heat of the Macca Lodge/Nevele R Southern Oaks.

The plan is to run Dreams Are Free in the first heat of the Garrards Sires Stakes over 1700 metres on Friday week before the Group One Northern Derby over 2700 metres a week later.

Both Flying Ellie and Ruby Roe will line up in the Group Two Caduceus Club Ladyship Stakes for three year old fillies on Friday 15^th March before tackling the Group One Northern Oaks a week later over 2700 metres.

Williamson says he’ll likely remain with the horses during their Auckland trip, primarily to manage Dreams Are Free.

“Last year in the spring I built him through quietly and I think he thrived on that. I think it’ll be more difficult for him this preparation because he’s starting off in a higher level of racing. He puts 110% into his races and doesn’t spare himself. When you take him off the place it’s quite a big ordeal for him. He’s not as laid back or mature as his younger brother (Always Dreaming). We’re not going to see the very best of him for about twelve months. Hopefully he’ll mature from the trip.”

Dreams Are Free will also race right handed for the first time.

“Look it’s taken a wee bit of work and he’s definitely not as comfortable with that way so that’ll be a test in itself and it’ll be interesting to see how he handles it under raceday conditions. He’ll have a heap of new experiences and it’ll be a big ask to say he’ll be real competitive up there but it’ll be a good experience for him. I think if he’s managed well we’re going to get results down the track.”

The Branxholme trainer is also looking forward to taking two his in form three year old fillies north.

“They’re more experienced campaigners when it comes to this although they haven’t had as many races at Dreams Are Free. They’re both telling me they’re ready for a trip away. I think they’ll thrive on the trip and it’ll be the making of them. They’re also handling the Auckland way in training.”

The addition of three quality horses at Alexandra Park will certainly be welcomed by the Auckland Trotting Club who have often struggled to fill their feature race fields.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink