Williamson with dual chances in today’s Southern Trotting Oaks

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner 

Master trotting trainer Phil Williamson isn’t sure how his team can beat Ya Right Darl in the Aldebaran Zeus Southern Trotting Oaks at Invercargill today.

But he is going to give it a real crack.

Last start Ya Right Darl ($1.60) romped home by more than 12 lengths in the recent Sires’ Stakes Classique at Addington.

Williamson heads south with Atlantic City ($18), who headed the pack chasing Ya Right Darl in her crushing victory.

Have A Little Faith also heads to Oaks as part of a two-pronged Williamson attack. 

While he has the ultimate respect for the hot favourite, the man with harness racing’s most famous moustache isn’t ready to concede defeat.

“I am not sure we can beat Ya Right Darl, but we are going to give it a bloody good go,” Williamson said. 

“That win at Addington was ultra-impressive and she is going to take a lot of beating.”

“You always have respect for your opposition, but I think my two can both go nice races.”

“Whether they are good enough to beat the favourite – we will find out. She might just be too good.”

Atlantic City got well off the pace in her second to Ya Right Darl before running on nicely late.

Williamson is hopeful the filly can produce more at Ascot Park.

“I have made a gear change with her which I am hoping will help.”

“I do think she can go a better race this week, she’s a capable filly.”

Have A Little Faith gets the big advantage of drawing barrier 1 in the Southern Trotting Oaks.

That spot has seen her rated the $2.80 second favourite, behind Ya Right Darl ($1.60) and well in front of Atlantic City ($18).

Going by their trainer’s opinion, there isn’t much between the Williamson pairing.

“I have thought that Atlantic City has had the edge on the other filly.”

“But from the one draw, Have A Little Faith is going to get her chance to have the wood on her.”

“She’s done everything asked of her racing in the grades, and she’s going to get her chance from the draw because she can use it.”

Alongside Ya Right Darl and Have A Little Faith, Dash Dosh is the only other runner in single figures in the Southern Trotting Oaks fixed-odds market.

The filly heads south after producing three excellent efforts this time in for trainer Tom Bagrie.

The Williamson barn has just one more runner at Thursday’s Northern Southland Trotting Club meeting in Our Pinocchio.

The trotter was only denied in his last start at Wyndham by the in-form Dreams Pat.

“I’d be expecting a good, honest race out of him.”

“If the others make mistakes, he will be right there to capitalise.”

“The start is always key for him because he can be slow, even though he’s safe.”

“The other day he managed to get away well, but it can be relative to how long he has to stand.”

“If they turn and burn, he will make a nice beginning.”

Nathan Williamson drives Our Pinocchio and Have A Little Faith, while Brad Williamson takes the reins behind Atlantic City.

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