Williamson going the distance

"He’s come up really good — he’s a lovely wee horse and he’ll go a good race" - Nathan Williamson...
"He’s come up really good — he’s a lovely wee horse and he’ll go a good race" - Nathan Williamson talking about Tas Man Bromac.
Invercargill one day and Kaikoura the next.

Unless you have consecutive-day cravings for fresh oysters then crayfish, the two are not often intertwined.

But that is pretty much Nathan Williamson’s lot over the next few days as he tackles a busy day at the Riverton Trotting Club’s meeting at Ascot Park tomorrow before heading north to Kaikoura.

Williamson’s employee, Matt Purvis, goes north to Christchurch today with Gangnam Style and Tas Man Bromac, who are set to travel to Kaikoura for their respective races on Sunday and Monday.But first, Williamson — the leading trainer in Southland last season — has five stable runners at Ascot Park to look after.

Three of those are trotters.

Dark Horse is a leading contender in race 3 provided she trots.

The half-sister to Sarah Palin, Monty Python and Father Christmas possesses a powerful sprint when she is in the right mood.

A good mood, however, was not on show at Gore on October 16.

"She had her first run back at Gore and missed away. She was in a junior drivers’ one there and it would have been a nice one to kick off with, but never mind," he said.

"But she’s taken no ill effect from that and she’s working well so I’m expecting a good run.

"She’s a very nice mare — and a mistake-free run will have her in the finish on Saturday, I’m sure."

Williamson has opted to take the drive on De Vito in the c2 and faster trot, after adding some muscle to the gelding’s frame since he arrived at his Ryal Bush stables six weeks ago.

"He came to me a bit light in condition so we had to build him up a wee bit, but he’s working well and he went good at the workouts the other day," he said.

"There are a few nice ones in there, but we’ll just have to see how it pans out."

Williamson’s other runner in the feature trot is Sun’s Invasion, who has been a challenge for Williamson.

"I was really impressed with her run three starts back and then she defibrillated at Forbury," he said.

"We were pretty easy on her in-between Forbury and Gore to make sure she was over that, and she over-raced a wee bit at Gore and blew out.

"Her work has been top-notch — I really can’t fault her — so she will be a smoky in that race."

Tour Director (race 4) will improve with tomorrow’s run after 21 months off the scene with a leg injury and McKenzie Mara (race 5) is "one to follow through the season".

Williamson’s main reason for the Kaikoura trip is a bid for the thick end of $50,000 in the aged sales series pace on Monday with Tas Man Bromac.

The 5yr-old is fresh-up off 10m, with three workout wins under the belt.

"I haven’t been overly thrilled with his workouts," he said.

"He’s been winning but he’s been racing mediocre opposition. I planned so that I would go there fresh, rather than have a start and risk copping another 10m.

"He’s come up really good — he’s a lovely wee horse and he’ll go a good race."

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