Ashjata the pick of Williams' trio in the Highway Handicap

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Goulburn-based Williams is renowned for maintaining a strong winning strike-rate as evidenced with 11 winners from his past 50 runners including a winning treble at his home course last Sunday.

Williams has three runners contesting Saturday's $40,000 TAB Highway Handicap Class 3 (1500m) and believes the market has it right with Ashjata ($7 William Hill) given the strongest push.

"She really is amazing me at present,” Williams said.

"Her biggest attribute is that when she's entitled to feel the pinch in a race she just keeps coming. You don't see that too often with horses.

"She pulled-up fantastic off her win last Sunday so the six day back-up holds no concerns.”

Ashjata gave Williams his best result in the Highway Handicap to date, finishing runner-up over 1300m at Rosehill on October 31.

"I've been stiff not to win one,” Williams said. "I've run second, third and had an unlucky fourth so I'm due to get one soon.”

Williams' other two hopefuls are Axion ($11 William Hill) and Van Halen ($17 Sportsbet).

"Van Halen is potentially the best horse of the three so he offers value at $17,” Williams said.

"He is also on a six day back-up which isn't ideal considering he's second-up off a spell but the distance suits and he will be finishing off strongly.

"Axion is going to need all the breaks from a wide gate. I was hoping to draw well as he would benefit from a soft run out to the 1500m but there is plenty of pace drawn wide so with a bit of luck Blake (Spriggs) can slot in somewhere with cover.”

The Highway Handicap is the fourth race on the card at Rosehill. Click here to access Racenet's free formguide for the meeting.

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