Williamson’s tilt at more Group 1 glory at Addington tonight

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner 

Nathan Williamson is seeking a different kind of Group 1 winning feeling at Addington tonight.

Williamson enjoyed dual Group 1 success during New Zealand Cup Week, though not in his colours.

The Southern horseman is the breeder of Aussie trotting star Gus, who won both the Dominion Trot and the New Zealand Trotting Free-For-All during an epic raid on his homeland.

While it may have appeared to many that Williamson enjoyed a handy Cup Week with decent results, behind the scenes it has been a chaotic month for the trainer.

“Just about everything that could go wrong has gone wrong with every horse.”

“It has just been one of those runs you can have with racehorses, little things here and there, but they have come at the worst time of year.”

“Everyone runs into issues behind the scenes, we are no different to anyone else, so you carry on and do your best.”

Captains Mistress has been among those horses hit with setbacks, which meant she went into last week’s THE VELOCITY first-up since July.

And it means the filly will tackle the 2600m of the Group 1 New Zealand Oaks second-up (8.07pm).

While far from ideal, Williamson has not lost any faith in his filly.

“I personally think she is the best filly in New Zealand,” Williamson said.

“That is my opinion and I say it with full respect for the other very good fillies she will be racing.”

“I am sure some of their trainers will think the same thing about their horses.”

“I just know what she is capable of.”

“Things haven’t quite gone to plan recently.”

“The original idea was to go to Ashburton and qualify for the Nevele R Final, so she would be third-up in the Oaks with a trial under her belt as well.”

“But we are here now and she is as well and as forward as we can get her.”

Captains Mistress’ return to racing last week came in one of the most epic battles of three-year-old boys in recent times.

Though soundly beaten behind Got The Chocolates and Marketplace, there was good merit in her sixth placing.

“I was quite happy with her effort, when the acid came on it was only race fitness that cost her that last bit.”

“She is certainly going to be no worse this week and I am hopeful that run will have brought her on.”

“She’s had a quiet time of it this week, she ran record times for a filly last week so we have recharged the batteries so she can go again on Friday night.”

Williamson starts three runners at Group 1 level at Addington with Dreams Are Free in The Christian Cullen and Always Dreaming in the New Zealand Derby. Hidden Talent also starts in the Group 2 Worthy Queen.

The winning feeling, if any of his four starters get up, will be a little different to the thrill of Gus’ recent wins.

While delighted to have bred and developed a genuine trotting star, Williamson was thrilled that broodmare Kylie Ree’s name was put up in lights.

“I was thrilled for Kylie Ree because we lost her not long after she foaled Gus, after she took ill.”

“I was fortunate enough that Brian McCully gave us the opportunity to breed from her.”

“She was a nice racehorse and a lovely mare who did a great job.”

Williamson and wife Katie have three broodmares that are currently active, including a daughter of Kylie Ree in Hawaiian Hula.

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