''I think I'm probably on the best horse on the field and she'll be hard to beat. Jan will have her right.''
Williams (33) has formed an impressive partnership with the Traditionally mare as they have worked their way through the grades.
Jason Laking was aboard for Rewa's first appearance at the trials in 2010, but since then, Williams and Rewa have been a formidable female pairing over the sprint distances.
''Ever since I rode her at the trials, she's always given me a good feel and she's pretty smart.''
Rewa was a distant seventh behind Our Genes at Riccarton in late May, but she will not be the last galloper to struggle on a very heavy Riccarton surface.
''When I was holding on to her, like most horses, she was all right, but when you let their heads go, they fall to pieces,'' she said.
''But a heavy Riccarton track is different to any other heavy track. Some horses don't cop that track.''
The slow surface at Oamaru is right in the 5yr-old mare's sweet spot and Williams revealed Rewa's fresh-up win at Ashburton two starts back was even more impressive than it first appeared.
Williams should be able to settle no worse than midfield from her draw of three, and she should be moving from the 600m mark.
''When they get a roll on down the hill [at the end of the back straight], that'll suit her the way she races, so they'll be watching her.''
Oraka Prince is one of two gallopers Williams prepares herself although she reckons she was lucky to stay on when the Hawkeye gelding ran a tough second to Cheeky Tart at Oamaru on July 8.
''I was almost out of the saddle at the start. I was at the point where I thought `I'm not going to get back on; I'm going to have to bail here', but then he ducked sideways and hit another horse.
''My feet went back in the irons and we were away.
''So it was a good effort to run second, and I was pretty happy with that.''
The 4yr-old has placed twice from three starts on slow tracks, and Williams does not see that as a problem when he tackles 1400m tomorrow.
''He actually felt really good on it compared to Waimate [a dead track]. I don't think the track will trip him up, anyway.''
Williams has two other rides on the day: Hydraulic in the rating 65 2000m and On The Take in the rating 75 1600m race.
Williams has had a mixed season but has ridden three black-type winners this year.
''It's been my worst season for the amount of winners I've had (38), but I've probably had the most stakes I've ever had for a season ($610,153).
''You can look at it one way it's not good, but the other way, it is. If you're winning group and listed races, you're probably doing all right.''
M2 Whangarei RC
Rider
Race 5: Encharm - Mark Sweeney.
Scratchings
Race 5: Shades Of Gold, Hidden Secret.
Race 8: Capo.
Weather, cloudy; track, dead (5); rail, true.
M4 Taranaki TRI
Scratchings
Race 5: Knowing.
Race 6: Edward The Eighth.
Weather, drizzling; track, heavy (10); rail, true
The features at Oamaru
Race 5, Waitaki River Trophy
$25,000, 1200m open handicap
Civics Rock (2) is a surprise visitor to the South Island, and brings some impressive form with him from the north.
He disappointed at Hastings in late June, but was excellent at Trentham on June 8. While his recent form has been on heavy tracks, his record on slow tracks is just as good, winning three of his five starts.
The evergreen Our Genes (1) always has to be respected as he chases his 26th career win and he has won on the track before. Rewa (5) has to carry just 54kg, and you can forget her last start on a deep track at Riccarton.
She is best on better ground than that, and is unbeaten on slow tracks.
She is getting through the grades quickly, but appears to be handling the step up. Prime Hit (8) finished off his win at Waimate in style, and has a good record at this distance and in this footing.
Selections: Rewa, Civics Rock, Our Genes, Prime Hit
Race 8, Oamaru Cup
$25,000, 1600m open handicap
There is no doubting the form coming into this race. Of the 12 acceptors, six of them are last-start winners.
The big challenge for punters here is franking the North Island form of the Ralph Manning pair, Old Drumble and Wanabefamous, against the likes of Authentic Paddy, Miss Maximuss, Coat Of Arms and City Chic.
Old Drumble was third in behind Little Alfie Brown in the Te Awamutu Cup two weeks ago, but he has to cope with a wide draw of 12.
Miss Maximuss is in super form and was winning at open handicap level at Ashburton two weeks ago and will be Old Drumble's biggest threat. Authentic Paddy is just 3 but he is bouncing through the grades quickly and can handle the class rise well enough to place.
Selections: Old Drumble, Miss Maximuss, Authentic Paddy, Coat Of Arms.
