Williamson strong presence for Diamonds Day

One of the key targets for Southand’s leading harness racing trainer Nathan Williamson is Diamonds Day at Ascot Park in a fortnight.

Since Captains Mistress (Captaintreacherous) is not going north for the Northern Oaks, the Nevele R/Macca Lodge on Diamonds Day will be her next target.

Williamson also has unbeaten filly Utah Jazz (Bettor’s Delight) earmarked for the $60,000 Group Two feature.

Hidden Talent (Bacardi Lindy) will race in the main trotting feature for R51-R120 squaregaiters. She had no luck last Friday night at Addington in the Sires’ Stakes Age Trotters Classic, finishing seventh.

“It was just unfortunate that a horse galloped and she got checked. She ran a creditable race afterwards and her times after that were good on Stride Master,” Williamson said.

Hidden Talent won’t go north to this year’s Rowe Cup, instead targeting feature trotting races for mares at Addington in the next two months.

Three year old Always Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) is ready to resume and he’ll run in the final heat of the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes at Winton on Thursday to qualify for the $60,000 Group Two final on Diamonds Day.

“He’s been gelded and he also had a wee hick up. We were training him down and he would have been ready a month ago but he just had a little set back. Nothing major – just a cold. He’s had one quiet trial. He’ll race on Thursday and hopefully it’ll bring him on nicely for the Supremacy.”

Williamson won the Supremacy with Ragazzo Mach in 2021 and with Sand Wave in 2022. Sand Wave is owned by the same group of owners that race Always Dreaming.

Secret Agent Man (Sweet Lou), Miraculous (Bettor’s Delight) and Duchess Maria (Father Patrick) complete the Williamson assault on the feature day.

“She’s (Duchess Maria) been with me for a couple of weeks and the target is the two year old race ($50,000 Group Three Entain Two Year Old Mobile Trot) so hopefully they get enough starters to race it.”

Meanwhile Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) is back in the barn after having a wind operation at the end of last season.

“He’s been back for three weeks. He’s done well and looks good.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink