The $60,000 Group Two Macca Lodge Sires Stakes Three Year Old Trotting Fillies Classique is a relatively new addition to the harness racing calendar but already the Williamson name is on the honours board.
Nathan trained and drove Hidden Talent to win in 2022 while last year Phil trained the ill-fated Isolate to win with Nathan doing the driving.
This year the family has a three prong attack on the filly’s feature, with Phil lining up Empire City (Volstead) and Torquay Street (Father Patrick) and son Matthew training and driving Princess Sadie (Muscle Mass).
Princess Sadie has had one start back this campaign, winning a ratings race two weeks ago at Addington.
“Yeah, she’s come through the run really good, and she should be as good as we can have her for this race,” Matty said.
Princess Sadie hasn’t got any favours from the barrier draw, getting the inside of the second row.
“Having a preferential barrier draw in a Group Two race really irks me. She’s definitely got the worst end of the draws. We’ll just have to see how it plays out. We’ve got a lot of variables thrown at us that will make it more difficult.”
It’s in Princess Sadie’s favour that she has a fine record at Addington, never having run out of a place in six starts there.
“Speed is definitely her main weapon. If she can get the right run she’s a horse that can knock off a nice race.”
Torquay Street has had two runs back this campaign and won at Addington in early August.
“I’m happy with her. She doesn’t have the class of the other mare (Empire City). She’s three and taking her chances, but unfortunately she’s copped a second row draw. Matty got the other second line draw so we haven’t had the run of the draws but I suppose that’s how it is,” Phil said.
Empire City is heading into Friday’s Classique in a fresh state. Her last start was in Auckland in May when she ran an unlucky third in the Northern Trotting Derby won by Inasinglemoment. She hasn’t been cited at any trials or workouts.
“It didn’t work out because the trials are 2600 and I didn’t want to send her around with horses like Love N The Port. I’m sure she’s ready and is the horse to beat.”
While all eyes will be on Empire City on Friday night Williamson is also keenly observing the exploits of unbeaten Keayang Zahara, another daughter of Volstead who’s won both the NSW Oaks and NSW Derby. Last weekend she kept her unbeaten record when winning the G1 $100,000 Vicbred Super Series at Melton, running the 2240 metre mobile event in a stunning 2-42.5 – a mile rate of 1-56.8.
“I did see her race and she was phenomenal. There’s a 50/50 chance of her coming over. It’ll be good for racing if she comes but it’ll lessen everyone else chances.”
Williamson is a keen fan of Volstead and has two mares booked in to the up and coming sire. He also has a full sister to Empire City, Atlantic City, qualified and ready to race as a two year old.
“She’s going to have a crack. There’s a nice two year old race for her at Addington ($50,000 Entain Two Year Old Trot) on the 27th. I think if she stood beside Empire City she’d be marginally bigger. She’s been a slower learner than her sister but she’s catching up fast. She’s at a stage where I think she can go and race the two year olds and I’m hoping she’ll be competitive.”
by Bruce Stewart, for Harnesslink