Southern Surge series set to ignite Southland
Jonny Turner • July 23rd, 2025 9:53 AM • 3 min read
The Southern Surge is set to unleash all sorts of equine talent in Southland.
The new series was designed to heat up what has traditionally been a quieter harness racing scene in the south with $440,000 in stakes.
Early indications suggest it will do just that.
Nathan Williamson’s barn has been quiet through the winter months, but the lure of lucrative stakes is set to change that.
Williamson has a powerful squad of at least seven he will aim at the Southern Surge, which kicks off on Sunday, August 3 at Winton.
After impressing in her debut victory at Addington last month, She’s Crunchy has been freshened with a view to attacking the series.
Williamson will also aim Always Dreaming, Rise Up N Dance and Passchendaele in the Southern Surge pacing heats.
Kirstin Green lined up a big team of horses through winter, producing excellent results including a treble at the recent Winter Rewards Day at Winton.
The trainer plans to line many of her recent starters up in the Southern Surge Series, including Bobbies Rock.
Green has been pleased with the way the pacer has returned after a brief freshen up.
Similarly, Brett Gray will line up many of the good number of horses he has started in recent weeks in the Southern Surge.
But the trainer also has fresh stock to arrive on the scene, including Tycoon Banner and Party Up Denario.
Two serious three-year-old trotting talents are also among the talent set to step out in the Southern Surge series.
To The Moon And Back stamped his class in three huge efforts in maiden grade before jogging to a Gold Chip Final win in his last start at Ascot Park earlier this month.
Brad Williamson is targeting the Southern Series after giving the trotter a brief freshener.
The trotter showed he was up with New Zealand’s best two-year-old trotter Meant To Be late last year, before being put aside.
Tarragindi has looked to return a more refined product, in his first and second in two winter starts at Addington.
Williamson has a powerful line up set to make their mark on the Southern Surge, including Missile, Harriet’s Moment, Our Pinocchio, Have A Little Faith, Torquay Street, What’s The Whisper and Rangitata.
Matthew Williamson expects to start a sizeable team in the Southern Surge heats, with Majic N The Port looking capable of a maiden win at short notice following his unlucky last start outing at Winton.
