Williams’ girls in form

[Wandering Eyes]

It’s a case of one smart mare going out for a spell and another kicking off for Warrnambool-based trainer Matthew Williams, with Toregene (NZ) (Mongolian Khan) set to resume at Ladbrokes Park Sandown on Saturday.

Over summer, four-year-old mare Wrote To Arataki (NZ) (Wrote) flew the stable flag with success in the Gr.3 Bellmaine Stakes (1300m) and then a second placing in the Gr.3 Frances Tressady Stakes (1400m) last Saturday.

“She went from a 66 rating to a 92 rating. She did a great job. I’ll get her back for the early part of the spring and target the Group Three mares races in Melbourne kicking off in late August,” Williams said.

Williams is excited about Toregene, who is set to contest the Gr.3 Mannerism Stakes (1400m) at Sandown, saying she is a better horse than last time in when she had six starts in 2022 for four wins and a second placing.

One of those wins came in the $500,000 Melbourne Cup Carnival Country Final at Flemington before she finished her campaign as runner-up in the Summoned Stakes at Caulfield.

“I ride her a lot in her slow work. From when she came over to now, she’s a lot more tractable and she’s going better in her gallops as well,” he said of the OTI Racing-owned mare.

“She’s more relaxed, bigger and stronger. She’s always been a bit hard going but she’s a lot better this time, which will help her in her races.

“Her trials at Camperdown and Colac were great. She’s going terrific. I’d be disappointed if she didn’t run well.”

Williams is aiming Toregene at three major races in Sydney, the Coolmore Classic, Emancipation Stakes and the Queen Of The Turf Stakes.

“She likes to get her toe into the ground, so she should be suited up there,” he said.

Williams is also aiming another top-class mare from his stable, Literary Magnate, at the Gr.1 Robert Sangster Stakes (1200m) at Morphettville on May 6.

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