Big week on and off the track for Nathan Williamson

By Adam Hamilton 

This is a huge week for Nathan Williamson.

On Saturday night his beloved Captains Mistress chases history as the first four-year-old mare to win the $1m Miracle Mile at Menangle.

But before that, today (Thursday) in fact, he meets with his doctor in the hope of being cleared for a return to race driving.

It is a remarkable, almost miraculous, recovery considering it was just three months ago Williamson lay in Auckland ICU in an induced coma after a freakish crash from Captains Mistress when the sulky seat malfunctioned just 50m from a Group 1 win at Alexandra Park.

It was after that, and with the understanding and blessing of Williamson and his family, that leviathan Aussie owner Mick Boots transferred Captains Mistress, who had already won two Group 1 races in NZ, to Menangle trainer Jason Grimson.

“She’s the most talented horse I’ve trained and I could have seen her really going places, but she’s gone ahead in leaps and bounds with Jason, all credit to him,” Williamson said.

“She was very special from day one. She had phenomenal, almost freakish high speed,” he said.

“I’d had a battle to get her back to top fitness and form after the Queensland trip last year and I finally felt I had her right again for that night at Alexandra Park where she was going to win the Queen of Hearts and a third Group 1 win for me before the incident.

“Then she’s really gone on with it since going to Jason.”

Captains Mistress is unbeaten in six starts for Grimson, two at Group 1 level, including a seemingly effortless romp in last Saturday night’s Group 1 Chariots Of Fire when she became only the fourth mare to win the race since it started in 1996.

“I’ve got a huge buzz staying up late Saturday nights to watch her in recent weeks. It’s a been a real tonic, to be honest,” Williamson said.

“You get close to these horses, especially the special ones like her, and I’m thrilled watching what she’s been doing.

“No doubt it’s another big step-up to take on Leap To Fame and others this week, but if Jason thinks she’s up to it then I’m sure she’ll run a great race.”

Williamson, who can’t remember the freakish mishap back on December 12 at Alexandra Park, said the bad luck he had that night has been more than balanced by his luck recovering since.

“You know these brain injuries can go either way and they were very worried about mine for a while, that’s why they had me in the induced coma for three days,” he said.

“They rang my wife (Katie) and Mum and Dad (Bev and Phil) and told them to come up because they could have some big decisions to make. They were really worried about the swelling on the brain, but thankfully the coma worked and it subsided day-by-day.

“They were also worried about what damage might have been done. The biggest moment came with everyone around the bed when the doctor asked me to tell him who was talking to him and what they were talking about. I got it all right and that was a huge relief to everyone.

“It’s just got better and better since. My recovery has been amazing. I’ve had no headaches or complications.

“I’ve been given the all-clear to drive a car again and I hope they’ll say I’m ok to drive in races again.

“I’ve been driving a few at home and haven’t had any issues at all.”

Before then, Williamson has a date with his lounge chair and TV late this Saturday night.

“I’ll be one cheering loudest in NZ if she can win the Miracle Mile,” he said.

The punters think she can. Despite history stacked against her, Captains Mistress is $3.80 second favourite behind only the great Leap To Fame ($2.30).

The Miracle Mile is scheduled to go at 11.55pm on Saturday night (NZT). 

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