At Witz End hunting Weetwood

By Glenn Davis

Lismore trainer Daniel Bowen is confident his border hopper At Witz End can join a select group of interstate raiders to win the Listed Weetwood at Toowoomba on Saturday.

The 1200 metre Weetwood Handicap was dominated by local Toowoomba trainers for many years before champion trainer Chris Waller broke the mould with his Sydney-based Sexy Eyes in 2019.

The only other interstate raider to win the Weetwood since 2000 was the Nick Olive-trained Voice Commander who was successful in 2009.

Toowoomba trainers have a great record in the Weetwood but have missed out the past three years after wins from Desleigh Forster (Apache Chase), Jack Bruce (Axe) and last year with the Tony Gollan-trained All That Pizzazz.

At Witz End is having his first start since finishing second in the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast in the middle of July which followed his Listed Eye Liner Stakes win at Ipswich in June.

“We’re coming to raid and run with At Witz End,” Bowen said. 

“I think At Witz End is going as good now as when he won the Eye Liner but whatever he does in the Weetwood he’ll improve for The Kosciuszko in Sydney.”

The $2 million The Kosciuszko at Randwick on October 19 is the main spring target for At Witz End.

Bowen hasn’t barrier trialled the nine-year-old ahead of the Weetwood.

“He had a nice freshen up since the Glasshouse and he’s going first-up into the Weetwood,” Bowen said.

“He’ll run a big race but whatever he does he’ll take a lot of improvement for The Kosciuszko.

“I haven’t given him a barrier trial but he had a private jump out here over 1000 metres which was just like a barrier trial and he went well.”

Bowen had also nominated his rising star Tectonic Plate for the Weetwood but has chosen to bypass the famous Toowoomba sprint in favour of the Queensland Summer Racing Carnival.

“I’m looking at getting her ready for the summer races in Queensland,” Bowen said.

“There’s a lot of fillies and mares’ races which will suit her as well as races like the George Moore.”

Bowen has booked regular rider Samantha Collett to partner At Witz End and rated local star Yellow Brick as the main danger.

Yellow Brick is top weight with 60.5kgs and is also on the comeback trail after winning the Listed Spear Chief at Eagle Farm in June.