Williams to have strong hand at Goulburn

Leading Country Championships contender Pumpkin Pie is one for four entries for local trainer Danny Williams in the regional heat at Goulburn.

The Matt Dunn-trained Perfect Dare assumed $4.60 favouritism for the final on April 1 with his dominant win in the first heat at Grafton on Monday.

Pumpkin Pie is the $11 second elect for the final ahead of Saturday’s $150,000 Goulburn race.

Williams also has Shutter Bug, I Told Georgie and Vee Eight among the 15 entries.

The first two from each heat qualify for the final.

Pumpkin Pie is the winner of three of her five races including her most recent start at Randwick on Australia Day.

As well as her three wins, Pumpkin Pie has a second placing to Eckstein in a Highway race for country-trained horses at Randwick in October.

The Kurt Goldman-trained Eckstein’s performances since include a Listed race win in Brisbane and a close third behind Flying Jess and dual Group One winner Global Glamour in the $2 million Magic Millions Guineas.