Williamson and Cleaver’s late charge at the Sale

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Southland harness racing trainer Nathan Williamson and his stable client Neville Cleaver each waited until the last day of the NZB Standardbred New Zealand National Yearling Sales in Christchurch to feature on the buyers sheet.

The Branxholme trainer paid $85,000 for a Bettor’s Delight colt out of Start Dreaming (American Ideal).

 LOT 380 BETTOR’S DELIGHT – START DREAMING COLT

“Yeah, happy with that. He’s a Bettor’s Delight and a full brother to a champion two year old (Don’t Stop Dreaming). He looks like a nice horse,” Williamson said.

Don’t Stop Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) won six of his seven starts as a two year old including the $100,000 Group One Ace Of Spades and the $156,400 Group One Sires Stakes Series for Two Year Old Colts and Geldings.

DON’T STOP DREAMING

The colt is named Always Dreaming and Williamson bought it on behalf of a large number of owners: the Nine Three Syndicate, the Nude @ Ten Syndicate and Chris Alcock, all of whom own Sandwave (Somebeachsomewhere).

“He probably wasn’t the most wonderful type in the world but if he was, with his pedigree, I would  probably have paid three times what I did. We were pretty lucky to get him for that. Studholme Bloodstock do a great job and he ticked a lot of boxes. He’s powerful and a bigger style of horse that sometimes don’t attract the buyers but if he can run fast it won’t matter.”

Williamson trains another member of the family Dreams Are Free, (Captaintreacherous) which qualified at Winton earlier this month and looks a promising type that could race as a two year old.

“He’s a bigger horse, yet he still qualified as a two year old. The Kindergarten could be a target for him but he’s had a small setback in the last few days. I think he’s up to a race like that ability wise.”

DREAMS ARE FREE

Stable client Neville Cleaver who also left his charge til late on Day Three, went to $100,000 to get Ragazzo Art, (Art Major) a half brother to Interdominion Champion I Cast No Shadow (Shadow Play) and to Ragazzo Mach (Mach Three). Cleaver successfully raced Ragazzo Mach from the Williamson stable to win seven races including the 2021 Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes, before selling him to West Australia for big money.

LOT 355 – ART MAJOR – RAGAZZO BROMAC COLT

“He’s athletic and built much the same as Ragazzo Mach. I thought he was well bought too, and exciting for the stable to have two lovely colts,” Williamson said.

The trainer also purchased an Always B Miki colt out of Operative Asset (Armbro Operative) for $20,000 which was offered by Steve Baucke. He’s a half brother to good performers Belkmyster (11 wins) and I’m Jimmy James (12 wins).

“I really liked him. He was a cheaper buy and looked like a nice early going two year old type. Hopefully by the time I’m standing here next year all three will be qualified and ready to race.”