Speedy southerners surging towards Sunday's finals
Jonny Turner • August 20th, 2025 9:59 AM • 4 min read
It should be straightforward for one of Phil Williamson’s rising stars, but not as easy for another in the finals of the Southern Surge.
Southern harness racing’s newest series is set to finish with a bang with eight outstanding finals set down to be run at Gore on Sunday.
The Williamson trained Rangitata could claim the title of being New Zealand’s best handicapped horse when he starts in the first final of the Southern Surge (Race 3).
The three-year-old was a powerful winner of his first start in the first round of series heats, crushing his rivals despite sitting parked throughout.
As part of the series, Rangitata will race many of the same maiden rivals he conquered at Winton on level marks as a one-win horse.
With the excellent manners and big motor he showed in his debut victory, the trotter is likely to start the shortest-priced favourite in all of the Southern Surge Finals.
His challenge at Gore will be to overcome a 10m handicap over 2200m, starting from the outside of the second row.
On Sunday, Tarragindi will reunite with Matthew Williamson who has been itching to get back in the sulky behind the progressive three-year-old.
When they last combined, the pair produced outstanding form which included a second at Group One level at Addington to Meant To Be.
Tarragindi will clash with Clotilde Wainwright who beat him fairly and squarely in the first round of Southern Surge heats.
Always Dreaming looks to be one of the trainer-driver’s strongest winning hopes on the strength of his heat win.
The three-year-old was too good for the same field that he meets in his final at Gore, when resuming at Ascot Park.
The filly made it two-from-two when clearing out to win her heat at Ascot Park.
She's Crunchy clashes with Saucy Delight, the only horse to win in both round one and two of the Southern Surge heats.
