Williamson seeking Winton gold

By Jonny Turner

Matthew Williamson has up and coming talent among his drives at Winton on Sunday.

Williamson combines with the favourites for both graduation finals at Central Southland Raceway in Winnie McGoogan and Duke Of Cornwall.

Minnie McGoogan qualified for Sunday’s ‘Gold Chip Final’ for the trainer-driver with the easiest of maiden wins at Ascot Park last month.

The filly’s work since then suggests she’s ready continue the excellent start she’s made to her career.

“Her work since she won has been very good and it looks like a good race for her,” Williamson said.

“If she does everything right – touch wood, her manners have been pretty good – she should be hard to beat.”

Minnie McGoogan was rated $2.40 win favourite for race 7 when fixed odds betting opened on Saturday.

The Lauren Pearson trained Duke Of Cornwall opened at an even shorter $1.90 quote ahead of race 6.

The two-year-old steps out Sunday’s ‘Nugget Final’ with Williamson in the sulky, on the back of an unlucky effort at Ascot Park last week.

Williamson is hoping to take luck out of the equation this week.

“He was unlucky last week, just the way the race turned out.”

“Once he got clear he wound up real nice and hit the line well.”

“He’s got a decent draw (5) on Sunday and he is a smart horse, I’d like to think he would be hard to beat.”

Two runners from his own stable look among the best of Williamson’s remaining drives at Winton on Sunday.

Von Art heads into race 4 after an unlucky effort at Ascot Park in which she didn’t find clear air in the run home.

“Her last two runs have been great and she was unlucky last time.”

“She likes to get handy and she should be able to do that from her good draw (2), so she’s an eachway chance.”

Wolfenstein has also landed a sweet draw for Williamson – in barrier 3 in race 8.

“From the draw he should be able to use his gate speed and get a nice run, he’s a decent chance.”

Von Art was rated at $3.80, while Wolfenstein was at a $8 quote when fixed odds betting opened.

Wolfenstein clashes with Show Me Heaven in race 8.

The filly is among the first team of horses Stonewall Stud’s South Island stable have lined up in Southland.

The Stonewall team have bought plenty of firepower with them with Rock N Dash (race 3) Cloudy Bay (race 9) and Show Me Heaven each looking strong chances.