Williamson out to continue run of form

Nathan Williamson
Nathan Williamson
Southland trainer Nathan Williamson will be out to continue his stable’s stunning form when he starts two runners at Forbury Park tonight.

Williamson has made a brilliant start to the racing season, producing 10 wins and 11 placings from 31 starts from his barn.

That strike rate is better than the all-conquering All Stars stable has produced this term.

Williamson was quick to deflect praise for his stunning stats and modestly puts the brilliant numbers down to the quality of his horses.

"I am pretty happy with it — we have just got some nice horses," he said.

Trotter Hawaiian Hula, who starts in race 8 at Forbury Park tonight, added one of Williamson’s 10 wins in her most recent start at Ascot Park.

The 4yr-old steps out of maiden grade to race more competitive trotters, including recent Oamaru winner Da Moons Mission, in tonight’s 2700m contest for junior drivers.

Williamson thinks this mare is capable of handling the move up in grade.

"I think a wee bit of her; she is a pretty talented sort of mare."

"She has had a few niggles and she is hard to keep right, but I think she has got a bit of a future."

Williamson set a slow pace before letting Hawaiian Hula show off her speed when running to a five-length victory in her second start.

The trotter debuted at Forbury Park prior to that win, producing a solid but unspectacular second placing behind Orlando Magic.

Williamson said the mare would return to the track a better prospect tonight.

"I just wasn’t that happy with her run at Forbury last time, even though she ran second. But, she has really come on since then."

Tonight’s junior drivers’ race could be a battle among trotters out to further reward their patient owners.

Hawaiian Hula’s connections have had to wait until the middle stages of her 4yr-old term for their first win after the mare suffered setbacks at 2 and 3.

"I had her up and going as a 2yr-old and I was considering taking her to the Australasian Breeders Crown, but she kept growing and she lightened in her condition so I decided to turn her out," Williamson said.

She came back as a 3yr-old and trialled really nicely with Get Lucky and I was really happy with her.

"But she was a bit scratchy after that and she ended up getting bone chips taken out of her knees."

Stable junior driver Chelsea Faithful takes the reins behind Hawaiian Hula tonight as she attempts to continue make up for lost time with a second win.

Westwood Beach trotter Da Moons Mission goes into the race in a similar position.

The owners of the squaregaiter have also had to wait until the same stage of their 4yr-old’s season for him to step out and win. Da Moons Mission did it in style, with an impressive win at Oamaru last weekend.

Trainer Graeme Anderson said after the win that Da Moons Mission’s had the potential to reward his owners with more victories. Canterbury junior driver Mark Hurrell will be out to help him do that tonight.

Hawaian Hula and Da Moons Mission look two of the biggest winning chances in race 8, but they do not have the race completely to themselves.

Both Clyde and Lisa Marie P bring consistent form to the event.


 

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