Both Woodend Beach trainer Bob Butt and Southern rider Nathan Williamson bring their best horses to the meeting as Bob prepares The Lazarus Effect (Lazarus) in the final race and Williamson produced Captains Mistress (Captain Treacherous) in a fresh state for ‘The Velocity’.
Unfortunately, Williamson has had to drop Clotilde Wainwright and Always Dreaming from their Show Day commitments.
He says Clotilde Wainwright is not 100% and does not trot squarely.
“I decided, rather than going to Addington and risking anything, I would take her home and try to get her right. Her main target is the Harness 5000,” said Williamson.
Always Dreaming has been cut from the $50,000 ‘The Velocity’.
“He worked well yesterday (Wednesday) but he appeared to be off colour, had a high heart rate and poor recovery. He has an infection somewhere in his body. He has been treated and hopefully we can get him back up and running for next week’s Derby.”
In Race One – the XCM Sport Mobile Trot, Butt lines up talented trotter Tactical Bid (Tactical landing).
“He’s been doing things wrong in his races lately. I’ve swapped a pair of shoes with him and some other stuff and hopefully he turns up on the day. He’s got the ability to win the race. It’s a matter of confidence. What happens is he bumps his knee and that just puts him off. Hopefully he can get around in one piece and show his true worth,” Butt said.
Trainer Williamson will pilot Secret Agent Man (Dear Lou) in Race Two, the Macca Lodge mobile pace was ‘trained south of the Waitaki’. He raced on Cup Day and finished fourth.
“I was a bit disappointed with him. He got caught parked, was quite brave and wasn’t that far away from them. He didn’t feel as sharp as he did at Ashburton but I think he will improve with that (Cup Day) run. With the advantage of that run he should be hard to beat.”
Gold (Father Patrick) takes his place for Butt in Race Seven – the Aldebaran Zeus and Aldebaran Park Handicap Trot.
On cup day he had no luck.
“I was following Confessional and I thought he would give me a good run down the straight, but when they all came he (Confessional) stopped in front of me, which was a bit of a jerk. He traveled well and was going to run in the money. I’m actually giving him a good chance tomorrow.”
In Race Eight, the Bob McArdle Sires’ Stakes Southern Mares’ Classic, Bob fields Dynasty (Rock’nroll Hannover).
She was solid in Ashburton but gets a draw in the second row.
“It’s a shocking draw and she’ll need a lot of luck. She’s been running great races every week this time. In her last few runs she’s had bad draws so she’s finished at the back. If she can get some (luck) they’ll know she’s there. It’s all in the lap of the gods because the one we’re following (Times Are A Changin) isn’t that good.”
Williamson trains and drives Ruby Roe (Captain Treacherous) in the Southern Mares classic.
She draws the outside of the first row.
“She’s there for a reason, because she’s the class runner in the field. It’s not about her ability or suitability, it’s more about getting her in the right frame of mind to do things. Since she’s been here at Regan’s we’ve been working on things and she seems to be pretty focused. I’ve added a shadow roller to her kit, put a small overcheck bit in her mouth and changed her cropper.”
In Race Nine – the final of the Dunstan Sires’ Stakes Series Two Year Old Fillies, Nathan Indulge Me (On the coast).
She draws one in the filly’s position.
“I think it’s a good draw. I think she’ll come out of the gate well and hopefully keep a place up front. She’s a talented filly and I think if they run hard it will suit her because she’s a good follower of a good pace.”
Butt drives Bet N Win (What the hill) for David and Stacey White in the AZAP Electrical New Zealand Trotting Free For All.
The talented squaregaiter ran fifth in Tuesday’s Dominion.
“I was pretty happy with his run. He didn’t have the ideal preparation for the Dominion. The best thing I got out of the race was that he trotted really well. Tomorrow he’s back on the short course (distance) which he’s good at. Whitey said he came through the run really well. When he brings his A race tomorrow he’s got a good chance.”
He draws nicely at barrier three.
“It’s a great draw for him. He showed in Aussie that he has a lot of gate speed. We’ll use the draw and see how it goes.”
Race Eleven is the $500,000 listed Hill Lee and Scott ‘The Velocity’ Mobile Pace and Williamson field Captains Mistress (Captain Treacherous) in the ten horse field.
As a filly in the race, she pulls one. A huge draw advantage.
“I’m going to get out of the gate as best I can and see how things develop. Being behind Marketplace is the perfect scenario if it works out. She’s been at the top for a long time and I think she’ll benefit from the run, but saying she’s pretty good and she’s as forward as I can have her without having a race. With that pressure and against the boys it’s going to be tough.”
In Race Twelve, Allied Security New Zealand has Pacing Free For All, Williamson Dreams Are Free (Captain Treacherous) down to start.
“Look, it’s a small step forward and he’s been thrown in at the deep end against some of those superstars. I’m really happy with the way he’s come forward. I was disappointed with him in a few starts before he came here, but he seems to have turned the corner. He’s doing well, he’s in good shape and he’s full of himself.”
He gets a good draw on three.
“That’s a good draw for him. He’ll be good out of the gate. It’s just a matter of whether we decide to go on the ground early or not. It depends on what the others around us do.”
Race Thirteen – Road Metals Mobile Pace, rounds out the show day with Butt-starting rising star, The Lazarus Effect (Lazarus).
“I put him in to keep him going next week. He’s jumping out of his skin so we thought we’d give him a chance tomorrow. He’s put in a good draw and I couldn’t be happier with him. He’s got the draw over a lot of his main rivals.”
The race appears to be a match race between The Lazarus Effect and Arthur Shelby, who both have the $125,000 Group One Christian Cullen on their radar next week.
Through Bruce Stewartfor Harnesslink
#Fresh #legs #familiar #faces #Show #Day