While Nathan Williamson was readying Dark Horse to run 1:56.1 in the four year old Ruby and earn the biggest stake of her short career when third, Brett Gray was at Forbury Park winning with Duchess Grace and Pay Me Jimmy.
Gray's two wins took him to 24 for the season, increasing his lead over Williamson to seven. Southland's two leading trainers have form runners across the card at Invercargill on Monday so the prospect of their tallies increasing is high.
They initially had 12 runners each but the scratching of Pay Me Jimmy in the opening event, a pace for non-winners, leaves Gray with 11. Williamson's rep Born To Run is the likely favourite after the two year old's impressive debut second last week.
Williamson has three in the trot for non-winners, second of the day, and all rate very highly in this field. Sheezamonarchy recently changed hands, is a newcomer to the stable, didn't flatter in a trial on Wednesday but has been in form. Ash and Svelt have both showed promise in their starts with Williamson staying on Ash.
Gray's first hopes come in the fourth of the day. He has two runners, Williamson three, and the five have most of the form in the race. Williamson's She's Allthe Craze went close at Oamaru and ran home well without being put under pressure to win at the trials on Wednesday. She looks the one.
Race six is the day's third trot and they have a horse each. Williamson's is the talented Splash Cola who is still on the way back. Gray's rep is the well-related Jen Jaccka whose form is impeccable. So is that of the opposition but from 25 metres she gets the nod.
Denham Maguire was a triaI winner in 2:48.7 on Wednesday and debuts for Williamson in race seven. Gray has two in with Ideal Conquest the best of them. The filly hasn't drawn well but was sound last time. It would pay to keep both Denham Maguire and Ideal Conquest safe.
A last start winner from two, Machjagger runs in the eighth for Gray but hasn't got the same attractive draw. McKenzie Mara goes for Williamson. Not in the hunt at Oamaru, she led all the way to win a trial last Wednesday in 2:49.0 but might find others too sharp.
Gray has Young Conqueror and Mighty Flying Deal starting off the front in the ninth. The classy Tas Man Bromac goes from 30 metres for Williamson and was good at Winton when resuming. He ran home well to all-but win a trial last Wednesday and rates highly in the small field but can expect plenty of opposition from Sovereign Banner who goes from the same mark.
Son Of Brahma runs for Gray in the second last. Despite his draw the four year old is a chance but won't find it easy. Stablemates The High Achiever and El Capitan go from four and six in the last and also are not without a show although some of their more highly-rated opponents make more appeal. Gangnam Style goes from one of the second line for Williamson. He led for much of the way at Forbury Park and held for third but will find this tougher.
Best winning chances for Williamson- Born To Run, Svelt, She's Allthe Craze
Best winning chance for Gray – Jen Jaccka
Mac Henry