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RACING HISTORY

FEATURE RACE COMMENT

The Weekly celebrates the Williamson's win

The relatively quick rise to prominence by Nathan Williamson has a summit of some importance just ahead - such as driving his parents' star trotter Jasmyn's Gift in the Dominion Handicap at Addington. Nathan has been driving for a little over 12 months, yet alredy has shown a steady head for handsome results: 279 drives, for 23 wins and 33 minor placings.

This really does nothing more than make his father Phil acknowledge the fact his son is shaping pretty well. "I hate to say it but I predictee before he started out that he would make the grade, not that I thought he would get to this stage so soon. I had seen enough of him at gymkhanas and workouts to think he was a natural as far as driving was concerned. If he was anyone else's kid, you'd say he was pretty talented," he said.

He could easily have passed that compliment to his son after winning the Ordeal Trotting Cup at Addington last Thursday, in which Nathan used sound judgement to make his move round the field in the middle stages and, as a result, completed it with an easy run to the finish.

"It is a confidence thing as well," said Phil, who trains the mare and races her with his wife, Bev. "I'm sure there are other young people out there with similar ability, but they will not get the opportunities to show it."

Credit: Mike Grainger writing in HRWeekly 20Sep06