Otago and Southland premierships on the line

[Wandering Eyes]

By Jonny Turner

Saturday’s Christmas Eve meeting at Winton looms as a key point in what is set to be a nail-biting finish to two provincial trainers’ premiership

Brett Gray heads into a nine-race card with a one-win advantage over Nathan Williamson, who has made the Southland trainers’ title his own in recent seasons.

Ask either horseman who is going to win and they will suggest the other.

And it is easy to see why with both trainers lining up a series of genuine winning chances at both Winton on Saturday and then at the final Southland meeting of the season, at Gore on Tuesday.

If there is one certainty heading into the battle for the Southland premiership it is that both trainers will be happy with the outcome

“At the end of the day I will be happy if Brett wins it and I’m sure Brett will be happy if I win it,” Williamson said.

“It comes down to the fact that if we are both winning races, we are both happy.”

“It is good that it has come down to the wire – it is a bit of banter.”

“We will be having a beer on it,” Gray added

When asked which horse has the best hope of adding to his 34 wins for the season at Winton, Williamson suggested Escobar in race 1.

“Escobar looks pretty hard to beat at Winton.”

“He is probably the best bet there of my team.”

Gray rates his first starter Janaka’s Delight in race 2 at Winton as a good winning chance if she can bring her manners.

“I quite like the little maiden trotter – she goes alright but she will probably get a bit of stage fright.”

The Otago trainers’ premiership battle is set to go down to the wire with Phil and Brad Williamson both going into the Winton meeting on 24 wins for the season.

Brad admitted he is going to need a slice of luck on his side if his runners are going to beat his father’s.

“Dad has a nice team entered all day and I would say my horses will need better runs than his ones to be able to beat them.”

Brad can give his father a helping hand in the Otago trainers’ premiership when he drives the Phil Williamson trained Our Golden Kenny in race 5.

The filly looks hard to beat on the back of an impressive trial effort.

Brad starts two horses in race 2 in Five O’Clock Gerry and Dame Margot Fonteyn who clash with two of Phil’s runners in Kenny’s Charm and Contessa’s Pride.

The younger Williamson rates his pair top-4 chances.

“Five O’Clock Gerry has a bit of ability but he is only young and he is still a bit green,” Brad said.

“I would say he is a top-four chance if he can do everything right.”

“Dame Margot Fonteyn is a little bit older and she has a bit of breeding too.”

“She looks like a top-four chance, too.”

Phil Williamson starts a total of six runners at Winton, with Pyramid Mystic looking a very strong winning hope in race 8.

Brad starts a team of five horses with Tabasco looking one of his strongest winning threats in 9.

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