Trainer Daniel Bowen is excited about the prospect of having his glorious old warrior At Witz End contest the Listed Glasshouse Handicap at the Sunshine Coast … and even the constant rain that has fallen at the track over the last few days hasn’t dampened his spirits. In fact, it might just have boosted them.
“No, a heavy track is not a problem,” stated Bowen emphatically. “If he can beat Yellow Brick and Freedom Rally on a heavy track, it will all be good on Saturday.”
The win Bowen was referring to came in the Listed ATC Cup over 1200m at the Sunshine Coast on May 11 when At Witz End outgunned Yellow Brick and Freedom Rally, two horses half his age, in a pressurised finish on a sodden track.
At Witz End also has a further four placed runs on a heavy track to recommend his chances, which means he has finished in the money in five of his seven heavy track starts … and he has recorded five wins on soft going which will be a positive backup stat should the racing surface improve by Saturday.
So, in that regard, “not a problem,” seems to be a fair call.
And what about At Witz End’s barrier … thirteen out of fifteen?
“You know I’ve been whinging about the barriers he gets … but look, it might work out well this time,” said Bowen.
“It might be where we need to be with the track that heavy. I’m actually happy for once that he drew an outside gate because it can help us get in the right part of the track. So, I have no problem with the draw either,” said Bowen.
And Sam Collett is back aboard At Witz End.
“Sam’s back on him, yes,” enthused Bowen. Samantha Collett was due to ride At Witz End in the Eye Liner, but suffered a fall in an earlier race on the card and missed out after being stood down and taken to hospital.
“For Sam to come back so quickly after the fall just highlights her guts and determination. She didn’t have any time off at all. Having missed out last time, it would be a really great moment for Sam and the stable if she could win on him. It will be a tonic for all of us.”
Collett has ridden At Witz End on five occasions to date … winning twice, including in the ATC Cup victory referred to above.
What about the weight turnaround?
Bidding for an Eye Liner / Glasshouse double, At Witz End will again lock horns with, amongst others, Rocketing By and Wategos … the two runners he kept back in second and third place respectively in the Eye Liner … and he will meet both of those rivals worse off at the weights.
“That’s true” acknowledged Bowen, “but we did sit three or four deep in the Eye Liner run. They had their chance and we won on merit.
“The weight in the wet … yes … it is a factor, but, then again, he’s won on the track. He’s won on the heavy on that track (the Sunshine Coast). He is in good form.
“We will be there to give it our best shot.”
For all that he has achieved in eight starts since being sold and joining the Bowen stable … four wins, one second, one third and one fourth place with a $313 500 return on a $10 000 investment … it can be argued that At Witz End is still not receiving all the plaudits he deserves.
“He’s eight-years-old. He’s had sixty-five starts … people think, surely he can’t do it … then when he does, they look for a reason why he won away from the horse’s performance,” explained Bowen.
“They’ll say things like the Eye Liner wasn’t a strong race. They keep thinking he can’t do it and he keeps defying them … and then they look for reason why things didn’t work out the way they said it would when the reason … At Witz End … is really staring them in the face.
“The fact that Wategos is a $6.50 chance with betting sites on Saturday while At Witz End is nearly double that price once again just probably highlights the ‘he can’t do it’ line of thinking.”
The bottom line?
“Look, we’ve had a great ride so far,” said Bowen. “I know it won’t last forever … but I’m just so super proud of the horse and I’m really, really excited about At Witz End lining up in the Glasshouse on Saturday.”
