Sheza Gift on best behaviour

Bruce Stewart Contributor

The well-bred Sheza Gift (Father Patrick) lived up to her pedigree at the Winton Harness Racing Club meeting at Central Southland Raceway.

Today was only the six year old mare’s twelfth start. She had five starts as a three year old, four at four, one at five and this was her second start as a six year old.

“She’s had a few issues with fences, and been in two that could have been terminal for her. Luckily she’s been able to be patched up and get back racing,” trainer Phil Williamson said.

Sheza Gift is owned by Garry Clarke who bought her as a yearling.

“He wanted to get one out of the mare that he could race and breed from.”

From her inside draw on the second row driver Nathan Williamson settled Sheza Gift three back on the inside. When a couple of horses galloped Williamson was able to ease her off the inside. With 500 metres to travel he sent her forward to challenge the leaders. As the field balanced up for the run home Sheza Gift got to the front and went on to win by a length and a half from Blithe, with Bill Bootit finishing third.

Williamson reported the ear plugs weren’t activated.

She ran the mile in 1-57.9.

“It’s great for all the mares to get the opportunity to race over a mile.”

Sheza Gift winning at Winton in the hands of Nathan Williamson (Bruce Stewart Photo)

The six year old mare is out of Jasmyn’s Gift, the winner of seventeen races including the Group One New Zealand Trotting Free For All. That win in November 2006 was Nathan’s first Group One win as a driver.

“She could progress a fair way because she’s a pretty good horse, but she just has to bring her manners. If she got solid in her gait it wouldn’t surprise me if she went all the way because she’s got a good motor.”

Garry Clarke, Phil Williamson, Sheza Gift, Nathan Williamson and breeder Bev Williamson (Bruce Stewart Photo)

Later in the programme Williamson won the New World Winton Handicap Trot with Pyramid Mystic driven by his son Matty.