Utah Jazz heads Williamson line up at Ascot Park

Utah Jazz (Bettor’s Delight) leads a strong Nathan Williamson team at the Northern Southland TC harness racing meeting at Ascot Park tomorrow.

The filly is a close relation to Chicago Bull (the winner of sixty two races and $2.4 million) and will line up in the Ascot Four Square Stella Frost Stakes (R3).

“She went nice at the trials the other day and her sectionals were quite good. She’s been nice right the way through,” Williamson said.

Utah Jazz will start from barrier seven but Williamson was unsure as to whether he’ll push the go button early.

“I’ve never asked her to come off the gate. I don’t know whether we’ll have to on Saturday. We’ll just have to see how things pan out.”

Williamson has Sweet DJ (Sweet Lou) in the race as well. She finished nineth at Winton at her last start.

“She wasn’t too bad. She locked wheels the other day, got dragged back and that probably cost her a good position early. She got back and was probably entitled to run on a bit better but we’ve got the gun driver on this week (Craig Ferguson). Hopefully he can plot a good path and she can run a good race.”

In Race Four, Ultimate Weapon (Bettor’s Delight) starts from the outside of the front row.

“He’s a horse that we thought had a wee bit of ability early on and he’s been very disappointing right the way through. He’s never fronted on race day from what he’s showed at home and at workouts and trials. He’s been racing okay and maybe the grass tracks haven’t suited him. He’s back to the all-weather and gets a drop in grade. We’ll wait and see how he goes.”

The Night ‘N Day/Tip Top Ice Cream Autumn Cup (R7) is the feature higher grade pace.

Miraculous (Bettor’s Delight) starts for Williamson from the twenty metre handicap in a field that has a few winning chances.

“I’m really happy with him. I thought his runs at Cromwell were pretty good. I don’t think he overly enjoyed the grass track. I was impressed by his run in the Fruit Bowl with a 56 half off the front and I was four wide round that bend at Cromwell. He seems well and he’s starting to get accustomed to Country Cups racing. I think he’s an upset chance.”

Hidden Talent (Bacardi Lindy) heads back to the all-weather surface after winning three on the trot on the grass. She starts off the 30 metre handicap in Race Nine.

“She’s looking good and is bright and well. Three weeks between run is probably the only slight query. I’m expecting another good run and hopefully the race brings her on for upcoming assignments.”

Williamson says if Hidden Talent races well they’ll head up to Addington for the $100,000 Group One ‘Fred Shaw Memorial’ NZ Trotting Championship.

Nathan labelled Utah Jazz as the stable’s best bet.

by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink