Williamsons with plenty of firepower in today's Southern Surge

By Jonny Turner 

Becky's Girl and Delphyne will be on a one-way path towards New Zealand's best age group races if they can win their Southern Surge Finals today. 

Both trotting fillies already have strong reputations heading into Southland's big pre-spring championship meeting at Winton.

But their status as up-and-coming stars is sure to skyrocket if they can overcome drawing barrier 8 over the Winton mile in their finals assignments.

Becky's Girl was back to her best when speeding home in sensational splits in her heat second 2nd at Ascot Park after an error-ridden performance at Gore.

Matthew Williamson has the job of navigating a winning path from barrier 8 on Sunday.

And he plans to call on the classy filly's biggest weapon.

"She's very fast and she will need to use her speed to overcome a bad draw."

"We will see how things pan out as to when we will need to use it, but you would expect there to be a bit going on early."

"We will have to pick our time to get into it."

"She's a smart filly and if she doesn't run into too much bad luck she will be right there."

Her barrier 8 effectively means Becky's Girl's opened at a pretty fair $2.20 fixed odds win price earlier this week.

The three-year-old will clash with three of her stablemates from the Phil Williamson barn.

Brad Williamson starts a further three horses in the race including the $4.60 second favourite Penelope Lane.

The four-year-old was an emphatic winner of her Southern Surge heat over the mile at Winton three weeks ago.

Nathan Williamson has the job of guiding Delphyne to victory from barrier 8 in her Southern Surge Final.

The Brent McIntyre-trained three-year-old comes into her assignment unbeaten in two heat outings.

Though barrier 8 is somewhat of a daunting prospect, Williamson has no doubt the filly can overcome it.

"She's a really nice filly and I have been impressed with what she has been doing lately."

"She's definitely good enough to win from that draw."

"We probably just have to hope we don't run into too much bad luck along the way."

"There's the chance that we could be caught wide on a strong tempo."

"But if she gets a near enough run she should run a very nice race."

Delphyne opened the $1.90 fixed odds favourite for her Southern Surge challenge.

Williamson isn't facing quite the same challenge with two more of the talented three-year-olds he links up with on Sunday.

The unbeaten Redback Bob looks like he would need to run into some serious trouble in the first of Sunday's finals.

As a Group 1 placegetter, Indulge Me looks incredibly well placed against her lower-rated rivals, as well.