Flemington assignment suits Turnitaround

The presence of Boom Time in the weights at Flemington is a pleasant surprise for trainer Matthew Williams.

The Warrnambool-based horseman had picked out Saturday’s 1800m race for Turnitaround and was expecting 60kg.

But with the Caulfield Cup winner in the nominations and being given 62kg, Turnitaround has 58kg and with Williams engaging claiming apprentice Ethan Brown, the gelding will carry 56kg.

“He looks pretty well in at the weights now,” Williams said.

Turnitaround has had two runs back from a spell and Williams identified the Flemington race as a good target.

He was considering running the gelding in Tuesday’s 1700m handicap at Warrnambool but baulked at starting him with 63kg.

“That was setting him a fair task so he’s better placed at Flemington on Saturday with the 56 (kg) after the claim,” Williams said.

After a first-up second in the Victoria Handicap at Caulfield on March 31, Turnitaround beat only one home in the VOBIS Gold Mile at Caulfield on April 21.

Williams said that latest performance should be forgotten.

He said one of Turnitaround’s best performances was in the high pressure Toorak Handicap last spring.

“They went along at a good pace that day but last time they walked early and sprinted home,” Williams said.

“That doesn’t suit him as he grinds a bit.

“He needs a genuine tempo and then he toughs it out.”

Turnitaround is a dual winner at Flemington and Williams plans to return to the track two weeks later for a 2000m race.

After that a trip to Brisbane is a possibility, although with good prize money on offer in Melbourne he may stay home.

“You can stay here and run for $120,000 and not have to worry about the travel and you don’t have to worry about racing the other way,” Williams said.

“They’re two important things to take out of the equation.”

With the Warrnambool carnival in full swing, Williams sent Turnitaround to Terang for a gallop on Tuesday morning.

“We wanted to give him a good gallop on the grass somewhere and he went terrific,” Williams said.