Williamson takes a team of seven to Invercargill this Sunday

By Jonny Turner 

Matthew Williamson remembers the good old days, but he wouldn’t go back.

Not that long ago the preparing for a meeting like Sunday’s Ascot Park trots was relatively easy given for the most part he had to simply show up and drive.

In recent seasons that has all changed with his move into full-time training which has seen him quickly ascend to being Otago’s leading trainer on wins.

Williamson’s rise is evident in him lining up a sizeable team of seven runners on Sunday, among his 12 starters for the week.

“I still love the driving but training our own team has been great.”

“Things have grown a lot faster than we expected but it has been great and we have had a lot of owners come on board and support us.”

Williamson’s day at Invercargill starts with first starter Heartfelt in Race 3, the Waikiwi Tavern Mobile Pace (12.38pm).

“Heartfelt has trialled well, she has still got a bit to learn and she will be better for having a start at the races.”

“But she’s got the ability to be quite competitive.”

Next up, Williamson partners Geraldine Clowers while stable junior driver Hayden Douglas drives the favourite Blarney Stone.

“They have both made mistakes recently, so manners are definitely key with them.”

“If Blarney Stone brought his manners he would be one of the horses to beat.”

“Geraldine Clowers got it wrong last start but has trialled well since, over the short distance she’s a place chance if she does things right.”

Williamson has another two-pronged attack at Ascot Park with Just A Gem and Porcupine Creek.

“Just A Gem’s trials have been good and she’s trained on well since after a bit of a freshen up.”

“She should be a place chance.”

“Porcupine Creek ran well first up and seems to have improved off that run, so she’s an each-way chance.”

The evergreen veteran Mr Cash Man represents the Williamson barn in Sunday’s highest rated mobile event.

“On ratings it's not the best race for him, but with that he does draw well and he does like a faster tempo.”

“He’s probably an outside place chance as it does look harder for him on paper.”

Our Pinocchio is down on his best form and will attempt to turn that around when he ventures south.

“This is quite a suitable race for him, he should get a much better chance to get into it compared to the bigger fields he’s been racing.”

“He is good enough to be competitive but we are hopeful rather than confident because he has been disappointing lately.”

Williamson rates Haley Jaccka as the best hope among his outside drives on Sunday.

The mare reverts back to standing start racing after producing excellent mobile form recently.