Mid season report - Nathan Williamson.

Bruce Stewart Journalist

The 2023 harness racing season is at the halfway mark and Bruce Stewart interviews some southern trainers about their plans, some of their better performed horses and those on ‘the watch list’.

This week’s interviewee - Nathan Williamson.

Pembrook Playboy (Bettor’s Delight) 37-11-8-8   $196,100

Pembrook Playboy

“He’s been back in. We’ll take it quietly through the winter months because he’s had quite a bit of time off.”

Sand Wave (Somebeachsomewhere) 26-9-2-6   $155,218

Sand Wave

“He’s not back in yet. I’ll get him in in July. He’s up in the ratings and needed that year to acclimatise to the top level of racing so we might target something like the Junior Free for All with him. He ran fifth last year and went a big race. We might follow that up with the Invercargill Cup which may become his main target. We’ll look at the Tuapeka Cup to kick him off in October.”

Hidden Talent (Bacardi Lindy) 6-4-1-0   $60,800

Hidden Talent

“She’s been jogging for five to six weeks. She’s had a five month break and looks good. It was always the plan to give her a long break with no racing for her in the Autumn. She was always on the weaker side.

Flying Without Wings (Pegasus Spur) 5-1-0-1   $9,300

Flying Without Wings

“He’s coming back in July. He trialled in March and April but wasn’t trotting sweetly. He’s grown a bit and developed so I think it was the right call to turn him out. He’ll get better with time.”

Micaitlen Denario (Captaintreacherous) 8-1-2-2   $20,772

Micaitlen Denario

“She’s back jogging and will be ready to race in August/September.”

Rakamurph (Captaintreacherous) 12-3-1-0   $36,432

Rakamurph

“He’s having a long break. He had a couple of minor injuries.”

Charlie P (Master Glide) 14-3-2-3   $25,832

Charlie P

“He’s due to start fast work this week and will be ready to race in August/September.”

Flying Ellie (Art Major) 2-2-0-0   $22,000 and Major Envy (Art Major) 2-0-0-1   $2,525

Flying Ellie

“They’ve both been in two or three weeks and I’m looking at racing them in September.”

Hurricane Hendrix (Rock N Roll Heaven) 15-3-4-1   $23,749

Hurricane Hendrix

“He’s a very hard horse to keep right and very talented on his day. He’s a horse I’ve had a lot of time for, but he hasn’t stepped up and done it yet. He’s as quick as anything I’ve had at home. We’ve given him a good break and he’ll be back in August. We’ll look at the Country Cups for him this year. If he strengthens up and does what I know he can we’ll be in business.”

Amass (Terror To Love) 4-2-0-0   $11,938

“He’s had a good break and is due back in July. I’m looking forward to racing him in the Country Cup races this year hopefully.”

Rise Up N Dance (Art Major) 2-1-1-0   $8,150

Rise Up N Dance

“He’s back and should be racing in September. We may target a race like the South of the Waitaki for him. We’ll certainly go up to Cup Week because he’s owned up that way.

On the watch list:

Grubsrew (Bettor’s Delight) and Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) - Unraced Two Year Olds.

Dreams Are Free

“They’ll both be ready to race in late August early September. Dreams Are Free is my top billing two year old at this stage. We might target some of those spring features with him.”

Miraculous (Two Year Old - Bettor’s Delight – Kelly Maguire)

“He’s won two workouts. He’ll be back in the spring with a view to race at Christmas time. I quite like him.”

Secret Agent Man (Two Year Old -Sweet Lou – Carabella)

“I bought him at the sales. We’re in a building stage and have a lot of young horses which we’ve taken up to Winton for private runs. The spring should be quite exciting.”

Franco Sailor (Two Year Old - Bettor’s Delight – Selina Franco)

“Neville Cleaver owns him. He’s out of a half-sister to Franco Santino and has taken a bit of time. He’ll be ready to qualify in the springtime. He could be a Supremacy type if he keeps stepping up.”

Always Dreaming (Yearling- full-brother to Don’t Stop Dreaming)

Always Dreaming

“He’s in work with Ragazzo Art (Art Major – Ragazzo Bromac) and Hammer Down (Always B Miki – Operative Asset). They’re all rolling around nicely and doing everything right and we’re happy with our three sales purchases (2023) so far.”

Ultimate Weapon (Two Year Old - Bettor’s Delight – Reality Check - full brother to Ultimate Snipe and Ultimate Machete)

Ultimate Weapon

“We’re giving him a good spell. Garry (Clarke-owner) is doing the right thing with him. He’ll stay out until August. He’s got a big motor, but he just needs to fill into a big frame. He’s a horse we’ll probably race through Christmas time and look at the Supremacy Heats with him. We feel he’s a Southern Supremacy type.”