Leading Southland trainer-driver Nathan Williamson had another big day at the office yesterday at Wyndham.
It started in the first when the well bred young trotter I'doitmyway lived up to her pedigree and cleared maiden ranks at just her second start
By Sundon out of Whizz Way she's a full-sister to Appian Way (6 wins), Idid It Myway (14 wins) and Any Old Way (6 wins) I'doitmyway has big shoes to fill but in the space of three weeks she's made the initial step very well.
"When she qualified a couple of weeks ago, that was her first time off the place."
"She qualified by herself so it was a big step into the deep end when she ran last week (at Wyndham)."
"She handled that well and she was better today."
"She's better off the place than she is at home so that's why we've carried on racing her."
"She also can be a bit of a handful at home – her nick name is Fizz."
"She's got a liking for the big tracks so that's why we've started at these two Wyndham meetings."
"She can have a wee break now and then race on the bigger tracks around Christmas time," said trainer driver Nathan Williamson.
The promising Bernie Winkle also cleared the maiden grade today to give Williamson an early double.
"Couldn't have wished for a better trip."
"He was one out and one back and he ended up three wide with cover."
"He pounced on them pretty quickly turning for home."
"He's just got a bit of a habit of knocking off when he gets to the lead."
"He did enough to get there quite nicely."
" He's got a bit of speed and I think he'll get better as the season goes on."
After a slow start to the season, Williamson, Southland's leading trainer last season, is starting to get some runs on the board both locally and also in Canterbury.
Tas Man Bromac, the star of the stable ran second to Maverick on Cup Day while Statham improved on his second at Rangiora, coming out to win the Macca Lodge sponsored South Of The Waitaki Mobile Pace on Show Day at Addington.
"He's(Tas Man Bromac) just had an easy week and will have another one this week and then both him and Statham will be racing again in the cup races around Christmas."
"Tas Man Bromac's main aim for the season is the Invercargill Cup at the end of January while Statham will probably go for some of those grass cups like Waikouiti and Oamaru – not that he's any better on the grass but a big horse like him will be suited by the big spaces."
Later in the day Williamson continued his good relationship with the much improved Machrie.
The gelding has turned a bit of a corner after trainers Katrina and John Price changed his training regime.
Bruce Stewart
Reproduced with permission of Southland Harness Racing – Check site here