The elder two of the Williamson brothers has a mixed bag of drives tomorrow, although the TAB bookies are expecting an even series with the Butcher and O'Reilly brothers likely to be open as the favoured combinations.
''I don't like our chances, to be fair, but we'll have a crack at it,'' Nathan Williamson said.
Williamson's best chances appear to lie in the early part of the competition, with Baby Fern (race 2) and Successful Way (race 3).
Baby Fern is back in maiden grade after she stepped out of her comfort zone and acquitted herself admirably running fourth to four-win mare Platinum Princess in a c0-c1 mares mobile pace at Forbury Park last month.
''Luckily enough I drove her last start and I drew her to drive her again,'' he said.
''She really did go good at Forbury - she was racing in an up-to-1-win grade and she went good.
''As long as she handles the grass, she'll be thereabouts. She should have kept coming on with that race.''
Successful Way was precocious enough as a 2yr-old to win at Addington, and return-ed to winning form at Ascot Park on November 23.
While the step up to the c1 grade can catch many horses out, Williamson expects the 4yr-old to cope with it - even if he might not be a winning chance.
''He's a talented enough horse on his day. Touch wood, his manners have been good so far, so he should step and put himself into the race.''
Williamson trains the excitement machine Splash Cola who lines up in the same race, with David Butcher picking up the drive through the random draw.
The 4yr-old was stylish winning twice as a 3yr-old, but lost the plot on New Zealand Cup day, breaking at the start.
''On the big occasion, she got a wee bit keyed up, which is a bit unlike her.
''The occasion overcame her and I hope that puts her in good stead for future trips away. I don't expect her to miss away on Saturday, but if she does, she does - but she's normally pretty reliable.''
Williamson rates Ngaire Margaret, who broke at Addington on November 14, as an each-way chance in race 5, based on her previous effort at Forbury in late October.
''She raced really well at Forbury - if she does everything right, she's always there.''
Maybe Flyin (race 7) and Smart Caesar (race 8) will both be relying on a bit of luck.
Williamson also confirmed Dwindle Mist, who has accepted for Ascot Park today and Oamaru tomorrow, will start on both days barring unforeseen circumstances.
He rated Dwindle Mist as a top chance at Ascot Park along with Costa Del Magnifico (race 9).
''There's a maiden I'm driving called Degas [in race 6] - he could be one of the ones to beat.''
His brother Matthew liked the chances of Insignificant, Joey Maguire and Davey's Gift from his five drives in the series, but thought Joey Maguire was the best of the five.
''He raced in Cup week and went quite good on Cup Day and this will be a wee dropback,'' Matthew Williamson said.
''He'll be hard to beat hopefully.''
