Williamson's winning chances at Winton

By Jonny Turner 

Nathan Williamson has a battle on his hands at Winton on Thursday.

The Branxholme horseman may have been Southland's leading driver for the last decade but that doesn't even give him bragging rights at his own stable right now.

That's because his right-hand man Ollie Kite has been on fire in the sulky recently.

That's largely due to the great association he's struck up with the promising trotter Tarragindi, who he has been scoring penalty-free and half rating points wins with.

The pairing will aim to make it a hat-trick of wins in the opening event at Addington on Friday night. 

Before then Kite and Williamson will combine with Shakedown in the first race at Winton on Thursday (11.40am).

The trotter has come up favourite despite being a maiden taking on race winners, with bookmakers looking towards his two nice recent second placings.

"It's great to see Ollie have a good run with his driving, hopefully he can keep it going because Shakedown is owned by his mum," Williamson said.

"His last couple of runs have been good, it's his first mobile and if he can bring his manners he should be right there."

Williamson himself links up with his impressive debut maiden winner Partytime at Winton (3.58pm).

The three-year-old steps up in grade after speeding to victory at Ascot Park last week.

"He's a nice horse with a bit of upside to him."

"It is never easy taking on those horses in the next grade, they have had a lot of racing."

"But the draw is in his favour and I am expecting him to go well."

Utah Jazz makes a long-awaited return to racing at Winton for the Williamson barn (4.22pm).

The mare will step out following a steady build-up after last being seen in last year's Southern Oaks Final.

While she was more than six lengths behind race rival Foxing Easton in a recent workout, Williamson isn't reading much into that.

"She's had a few wee niggles but we are on the right track now."

"We've been building her back up and I was quite happy with her workout, she wasn't there to break any records."

"She is a promising mare with ability, but she will definitely improve with racing."

Simply Amazing and Rise Up N Dance both look solid hopes for the Williamson barn on Thursday.

Rise Up N Dance suffered an atrial fibrillation in his last start but he's recovered and has pleased the trainer with his recent work.

Simply Amazing ran an OK fifth at Gore last weekend in harder company and should have few excuses in rating 35-36 company at Winton.

There are several genuine winning hopes among Williamson's outside drives, including Hijack, Jaccka Ace, Hazel Grace and Delphyne.

Williamson, too, heads to Addington following Thursday’s meeting with Dreams Are Free and Beaudiene Quick Step.