Matty Williamson goes wide this weekend

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Oamaru horseman Matty Williamson is well used of travelling and this weekend is no exception, with his team split between Addington tonight and Ascot Park on Sunday.

Three of his trotting team head to Christchurch for the Uncut Gems.

Two start maiden trotter New Mexico (Creatine) lines up in the non-winners mobile trot (Race Two).

The three year old filly got within a neck of winning at her last start on this course and draws a handy marble at five.

“Touchwood she’ll have good manners. She’s had a couple of mobiles and has been safe enough. She’s going well and would be an each way chance in that field,” Williamson said.

Quality trotter Axel Rose (En Solitaire) has been placed in his three starts. In his last start he was held up in the concluding stages.

“He’s a nice horse and the key to his chances is getting a head start on Dad’s horse (He Aint Fakin) who’s flying. Hopefully he’ll begin well and if he does, he’ll be hard to beat.”  

Princess Sadie (Muscle Mass) takes her place in the $50,000 Commodore Hotel ‘Uncut Gems’ Aged Classic.

“She’s just needed the runs. She probably came back heavier this time in. It’s a really good field so she’ll play a bit of hide and seek and hopefully she’s running home good.”

She races well on the course but is yet to win at this distance (2600 metres).

“Driving her cold is the key to her seeing out the distance.”

At Ascot Park on Sunday Matty brings seven south for the Invercargill HRC meeting.

First starter Heartfelt (Captain Crunch) draws three in Race Three. She’s had two trials, qualifying easily at her last one at Addington.

“She’s quite green still. I’ve been happy with the way she’s trailed and trained on. She should be an each way chance.”

Matty has two runners in Race Four - Geraldine Clowers (Creatine) and Blarney Stone (Wishing Stone).

Geraldine Clowers was pulled up at her last start at Addington. She’s been back to the trials where she began well to lead, but faded late to finish third.

“She’s been disappointing. Her manners went out the door the other day. She can begin quickly and if she does, the 2200 stand would suit her. She’s probably a place chance if she brings her manners.”

There is no doubting the talent of Blarney Stone but he got it wrong at his last start. The driver will carry no whip for Sunday’s assignment.

“He’s the only horse on the unruly out the back there so hopefully he can just be calm and get away. If he gets away he’s obviously the horse to beat. He just has to settle over that early piece.”

Williamson has two runners in Race Six - Just A Gem (Lazarus) and Porcupine Creek (Always B Miki).

Just A Gem is having her first start. She was cited finishing off her Ashburton trial nicely, running third. She draws four on Sunday.

“She just went okay in that trial and then she had a wee bit of a virus that set her back a bit. She’s come through that now and I’ve been happy with how she’s been training, I think she’ll be a place chance.”

Porcupine Creek raced well on debut, finishing second.

“I was happy with her debut, she’s come through that run really good and stepped forward. I expect her to be hard to beat and she’s our best beat.”

Veteran trotter Our Pinocchio (Bacardi Lindy) represents the barn in Race Seven, starting off the unruly.

“He’s been working great and racing terrible. He’s low on trust at the moment. He’s definitely good enough if the right version turns up.”

Mr Cash Man (Shadow Play) rounds out Williamson’s day in Race Nine.

His form has been solid this time in, but he faces a strong field of R37-R53 horses.

“Really bad race for him so I’d say an outside place chance.”