By Jonny Turner
Matthew Williamson has chosen the right time to line up one of his biggest-ever teams at the races.
Williamson brings nine runners south to Winton for Southland’s lucrative Winter Rewards Finals day on Saturday.
While the trainer’s planning to have such a strong line up ready for such a big meeting has been pinpoint, Williamson couldn’t plan for the series of tricky barrier draws he has been handed.
Even under preferential terms, the numbers haven’t exactly fallen Williamson’s way.
But it may just mean the reinsman will have to call on all of the skill he’s produced to win more than 1000 races.
Hayley Robyn is a prime example, she’s set to start favourite in a Winter Rewards Final after two excellent runs.
But she must overcome barrier 1 on the second row.
“She is flying at the moment, it was a great run at Wyndham last week,” Williamson said.
“She has one the second line again, so she will be dictated to by what the horse in front of her does.”
“But if she gets any luck, she is sure to be barrelling home.”
Terra Sancta is in a similar spot, the mare has been excellent in her recent outings at Ascot Park but must overcome drawing the outside of the second line in her Winter Rewards assignment.
“She has been racing really well, I am really happy with the way she has been going.”
“She comes into a winnable race, she’s a good chance.”
“She has been going really well.”
“The outside of the second-row draw is the bugbear, but on ability, she will be hard to beat and an eachway chance.”
Barrier draws aren’t so much of an issue for both Jordan Anne and Miles Away in their finals assignments.
Jordan Anne looks well placed, stepping into a grade she should thrive in.
“She does find a good race for her and hopefully she has good manners as she usually does, she looks a chance in that race.”
Miles Away has mixed his form a little this time in, however it is important to note he was desperately unlucky in his last start.
“I was very happy with his last start, he was very unlucky.”
“He didn’t get a go at them, he is very similar to Jordan Anne, he looks an eachway chance.”
Majesdix lands in Saturday’s highest-rated Winter Rewards Final for trotters.
Though she faces a stern test, she does have the advantage of starting from the front line.
“She went a nice race last start at Invercargill.”
“She is at the wrong end of the ratings, unfortunately.”
“But I am sure she is good enough to still run in the money and she is definitely a place chance.”
Williamson also starts Autumn Belle, Abacardi Hazel, Pyramid Rose and Huzuni in the races outside of Saturday’s finals.
