By Jonny Turner
Matthew Williamson’s team is flying.
Not literally, as they are doing many miles up and down the middle of the South Island via horse transporter.
But as far as form goes, the Oamaru trainer has produced excellent results this year which only seem to get better the further the winter goes on.
While Williamson’s team on the track is doing their bit, he credits his team off the track for his great run of success in 2024.
“It’s a big team effort and there are a lot of people supporting us.”
“I think the support of the owners is one of the main reasons.”
“We have been getting great support from a lot of owners, so we have been building for a while and now the horses are coming out and doing the job for us.”
“The staff are obviously a key part of it, with the travel we do we have to have good people at home so we can juggle it all.”
Williamson admitted he would be in all sorts of trouble if he didn’t credit his wife Charlotte for her contribution to the stable.
“Charlotte does everything, the horses, all the paperwork and a lot of owner communication and she’s flat out with our three kids too.”
“It is good to have her back driving when she can too because she is too good to be sitting in the stands.”
Williamson leads the Otago trainers’ premiership with 25 wins, 11 clear of his father Phil.
But he has no plans to start crowing about it or giving his father any cheek.
“I am not saying a word,” Williamson said.
“It has been a goal to win it this year and we are going to give it a good go.”
“It would be nice if we could hold on.”
“But I know Dad will be rolling out some nice horses.”
As far as his two best chances at Winton on Thursday, Williamson is sticking with the tried-and-true in his in-form mares Haley Robyn and Terra Sancta.
“Haley Robyn should have a good fitness advantage, she has been racing right through whereas the rest of the field has had a bit of a freshen-up with no racing in Southland.”
“She’s in good form and hopefully she can take advantage of it.”
Terra Sancta is in a similar spot heading into her Winton assignment.
“Her last start win at Addington was great, she’s fit and well and I am expecting a good run.”
Kerryn Tomlinson drives both Terra Sancta and Haley Robyn on Thursday.
