Nathan Williamson returns with good book of drives

Bruce Stewart Journalist

Branxholme’s reinsman Nathan Willamson returns to race day driving tomorrow at the Wyndham HRC meeting at Gore.

Williamson was sidelined following a race night accident at Alexandra Park in December, which hospitalised him. Because he received a head injury the specialists recommended a cautious approach to his return to race day driving.

“It’s been a long time but it’ll be good to be back to some normality,” Williamson said.

He has five stable drives and three outside drives for Brett Gray.

In Race Four Hidden Talent (Bacardi Lindy) has a mammoth task in overcoming her 55 metre handicap in a 2200 metre trot. She’s had one workout to fit her for tomorrow’s race.

“It makes it very tough with that handicap over 2200 metres. It’s probably mission impossible. She’s had a wee freshener and she’s come back well. Hopefully she can produce her manners and if she can, she won’t be too far away.”

Rise Up N Dance (Art Major) draws barrier two in Race Five. He last raced a month ago and hasn’t been cited at any trials or workouts.

“He showed quite a bit of ability early on, but he’s since been a little bit frustrating and disappointing at times. We’re hoping he can show some consistent form and build on that one day and start to show some of his ability from his earlier days. He’s got a better draw, so he’d have to be a top four chance.”

Williamson has two talented half-brothers in Race Eight - Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) off 10 metres and Always Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) which starts from the 20 metre mark.

Dreams Are Free last raced in the G1 Christian Cullen in November and will go into the race without any trials or workouts.

“He’s been training well and we thought we’d throw him into this race and see how he fares. Obviously he’s been a long time away from the track, so being an older stallion whatever he does he should just keep improving through the prep. He seems well enough at home but he’s picked a pretty strong field to come back in.”

Always Dreaming has been performing well in Country Cup races and because he’s such a smart beginner he should be able to quickly erase his handicap.

“He’s been racing consistently well. He’s pretty genuine and has got the all round game. He fronts up week in week out and we’re sure he’ll do the same. He seems pretty well.”

Treacherous Me (Captaintreacherous) draws the inside of the second row in the second heat of the Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks.

She’s had one workout since last racing at Ashburton in November.

“She’s just had the one trial to prepare. She’s come up well, she’s bigger and stronger than she was last prep. We only managed to get two runs into her last spring because she lightened up. She’s drawn nicely and won’t have to do any extra work so I’m sure if she gets a crack at them she’ll be finishing on.”

In Race Ten, Palladium (Bettor’s Delight) lines up for the stable.

“It’s a pretty strong field. It’s a nice draw and hopefully he can work forward into a handy spot and he should be there or there abouts. It’s difficult in those rating racing when those three year olds coming through spilt into a higher bracket. He’s a nice wee horse that should continue to improve with a bit of racing.”