Feature races main focus for Williamson

Leading Southland trainer Nathan Williamson likes to target Diamonds Day, especially the main features.

This year he was two runners in the $40,000 Regent Car Court Southern Country Cups Final and a starter in both the G2 Macca Lodge/Nevele R Stud Southern Oaks and the Alabar Southern Supremacy Stakes.

Dreams Are Free (Captaintreacherous) has had two starts this campaign for a close second at Gore and a win in the Winton Cup. He starts in the Southern Cups Final.

“Really pleased with him. We went right back to square one with him and got to the bottom of what problems he was having. He seems healthy and well and has trained really nicely since his last start,” Williamson said.

He starts from the 10 metre mark in the 2700 metre feature.

“He began really well at his first start but did miss away in the Winton Cup. That’s the one question mark with him. He’ll need to get away but if he does he’ll be hard to beat.”

Williamson’s other runner in the Cup is Always Dreaming (Better’s Delight) who’s raced through summer and into autumn winning two races, as well as a second and two thirds at his last six starts.

“He bobbled at the start of the Wyndham Cup. It cost him being in a handier position and when they’re running home in 55 seconds it doesn’t make it easy. I think the reason he was slow at Wyndham was that he drew One and shied at the tape. He’s drawn three on Sunday so he won’t be shying. He’s trained good and everything seems good with him.”

Treacherous Me (Captaintreacherous) takes on eleven rivals in the Southern Oaks.

She’s had four starts this prep and had no luck in getting clear at her last outing, finishing tenth. She draws the outside of the front row in the  fillies feature on Sunday.

“I think she’s in a good place and she seems well. The problem is the horror draw. She’s going to need a bit of luck.”

Indulge Me was originally nominated for the Southern Oaks but she’s now heading to Auckland for the $100,000 G1 Northern Oaks next week.

“We think she’s up with the best fillies in the country. Hopefully she can prove it.”

Palladium (Bettor’s Delight) draws the inside of the second row in the Supremacy. He’s had just the one start this preparation for an eighth.

“He needed to start in the last heat to gain a spot in the final and he was very short. He had a setback when he was going to be ready a month ago and I had to scratch him from Gore. He’s a really talented wee horse but he does things with his pacing gait that I’ve been working on. I think we’re slowly getting there. I’m hopeful we can get there by Sunday.”

Williamson has won two Southern Supremacy Finals, with Ragazzo Mach in 2021 and Sand Wave the following year.

As a trainer he’s trained one Southern Oaks winner – Flying Ellie, who won with his brother Matty on board in 2024.

The Southland reinsman has trained one Country Cup winner. Pembrook Playboy won in 2021 and Williamson drove two other winners – Costa Del Magnifico for Brent Shirley in 2016 and Here Comes Soky for Brent Lilley in 2008.

Williamson’s other starter is trotting mare Hidden Talent, (Bacardi Lindy) in the Coats and Schuck Jewellers Handicap Trot.

“Over Christmas time we thought she’d thrive because she really loves the grass tracks. Unfortunately she just started making some breaks. We freshened her up and brought her back. She’s got round safely twice. The first start she was really good at Gore off 50 metres (but) over 2200 was mission impossible. She wasn’t as good second up. She trotted all the way but was disappointing really. As she’s got a bit older her work has got a bit sketchy. Some days her work will be really good and other days she’ll just be okay. She might be nearing the end of her career but she’s in with a good chance and if she produces her best she could win it.”

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink