Improved Pembrook Playboy one to beat
NATHAN Williamson has stable stars Pembrook Playboy and Dark Horse primed to take on a wave of Canterbury raiders in the feature events at Omakau today.
Pembrook Playboy will be out to continue his rise towards becoming an openclass force in the small but select field contesting the group 3 Central Otago Trotting Cup.
After making big statements with two wins to open his season, Williamson sent the 4yrold north to the New Zealand Cup Carnival where he competed with distinction when working hard in his fifth on New Zealand Cup day behind Vintage Cheddar, who also starts in today’s feature.
That effort came in just the horse’s 12th start and it helped him return home a bigger and better horse.
“I think he has improved a bit from it,” Williamson said.
“He has matured a bit and physically he looks better and he is handling his work well.”
With little doubt about whether he can measure up to his rivals, the biggest question about Pembrook Playboy is where he might land in the running of today’s 2000m mobile feature.
Early tactics are set to be crucial in deciding where each horse sits in the running and who has to make a midrace move.
Although his 4yrold has not been asked to charge out of the mobile recently, Williamson is confident he has the gate speed to take up any kind of position he likes.
“I think he could lead if I wanted to, but it is just whether I want to or not.
“I certainly think he has got enough speed to lead.
“But we will just work it out when the gate leaves.”
With fast beginners inside and outside of Pembrook Playboy in Watch Me Now, Stylish Memphis and Henry Hubert, the early speed of the Central Otago Trotting Cup could be electric.
Williamson also starts Dark Horse in today’s trotting freeforall in race 10.
The 8yrold was at her best when scorching home from off the speed to win her most recent start at Addington.
And in doing so she beat several of the rivals she faces today in Splash Cola, The Dominator, Majestic Lavros, Pres The Belle and One Apollo.
The key to that win came when the mare was able to sit off a strong pace and Williamson undoubtedly wants to see the same kind of tempo today.
“I think she will be hard to beat,” Williamson said.
“She probably lacks a little bit of the brilliance she had three seasons ago.
“But in saying that she has run a New Zealand record in her last start and beaten quite a few of the horses she is racing against.”
The only concern Williamson has before today’s 2000m race is the chance of rain coming to Omakau.
“I think if there was a lot of rain and the track got quite wet it wouldn’t be ideal for her.”
Williamson starts a total of six horses from his stable at Omakau today, including Donald Trump in race 1.
While his namesake was not a winner in the recent US presidential election, the trotting version of Trump can win today.
“I think if he trotted all of the way he would be hard to beat,” Williamson said.
Williamson also rates Croesus a strong winning chance in race 6.
“I am pretty happy with him if he can get a nice run then he would be hard to beat, as well.”
Williamson also lines up Bettastar in race 3, Southern Ideal in race 4 and Sekkie Monkey in race 7.