“Winning is certainly better than medicine,” said trainer Nathan Williamson after Always Dreaming (Bettor’s Delight) impressively won the $25,000 Mataura Licensing Trust Gore Pacing Cup today.
After a super-charged start rarely seen on the Gore circuit, Always Dreaming in the hands of Matty Williamson was soon in the lead and intent on making things difficult for laggard and favorite Franco Sinatra.
“He’s a brilliant beginner. It’s very difficult to get him to gallop at home. He just keeps going and he’ll never break. I had a soft spot for Matty and told him to be quite aggressive today because I thought he was the one to beat and so it turned out.”
With just over a lap to go, Franco Sinatra made his move in front of driver Carter Dalgety and moved to the front to get parked.
In the 400, Williamson found another gear and began to open a gap between Always Dreaming and the leading group of Franco Sinatra, Tabasco, Double Jeopardy and Shephards Delight.
ALWAYS DREAMING REPETITION
At the end of the 2700 meters, Always Dreaming was seven and a half lengths ahead of Franco Sinatra with the head back to Tabasco.
“That was his first stand, but we had so much confidence that he would start brilliantly. Matty rode him great and he was very impressive.”
The winning time for the 2700 meters was 3-21.7 (a mile pace of 2-00.2) with the last 800 runs in 55.9 and the last 400 in 28 seconds.
The time was 2.9 seconds off Sand Wave’s 2023 open course record.
Sand Wave was also trained by Williamson and was owned by part of the group that also owns Always Dreaming, including the Nine Three Syndicate and Chris Alcock.
“I always thought the 2700 meters would suit him and Matty was delighted with him today.”
The victory was the eighth for the three-year-old and a welcome windfall for the gelding.
“Things went wrong before the Final race. He got a bit of a viral infection and we were sad he couldn’t take part in that. He got through that and his run in the Derby was quite good considering he had missed quite a bit of work. During his run recently he was going to be third and he was held up. We knew he would be better for it.”
Nathan Williamson, who fractured his skull in a race night accident at Alexandra Park just over a fortnight ago, enjoyed a day at the races and was pleased with the win.
“It’s only been a fortnight since the accident. If you had asked me how I was feeling three or four days ago, things weren’t so good. If I had an argument with you, I would probably have to lie down. Walking five steps to the bathroom was just as bad. But the migraine headaches are gone and I have a lot more energy than I had. Things have gotten better and as they have said, it will just take time. I’m hitting the road. Been on the sidelines for a long time, but I’m more than happy to be here.”
Williamson says he has discovered that it is very different to train horses without putting them to work.
“I struggle with it. That’s how Dad raised me. He’s a trainer who trains by feeling. I’m lucky to have a great staff. They’re all young and learned through me, so they know how to do it and how I want them to do it.”
Williamson says the Roxburgh Cup will be Always Dreaming’s next target.
The Gore meeting concludes the Southland Harness Racing season, with Williamson winning both the driver and trainer premierships.
With 46 training victories he finishes six ahead of Brett Gray (40) and Kirstin Green (27) in third place.
It is the ninth time that Williamson has won the Southland Trainers Premiership and he now beats Henry Skinner’s previous record of eight trainer premiership wins, two of which were in partnership with Allan Devery.
Williamson’s 68-success driver premiership win is 33 ahead of second-place Brent Barclay (35) with Craig Ferguson (34) in third.
The premiership victory was Williamson’s seventeenth, beating Henry Skinner’s previous record of sixteen, set between 1969 and 1990.
Williamson also trained the province’s top three ring earners: Captains Mistress ($151,342), Duchess Maria ($110,000) and Ruby Roe ($99,300).
For full race results, click here.
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
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