Bowen puts Kosciuszko nightmare behind him

By Glenn Davis

Trainer Daniel Bowen is putting the nightmare of the $2 million The Kosciuszko at Randwick behind him and is hoping for rain to boost the chances of veteran sprinter At Witz End in the Keith Noud at Doomben on Saturday.

Bowen’s bid to win the Sydney feature were dashed at the start when At Witz End struck interference.

“Our plan was to be third or fifth after they jumped but he lost all hope at the start,” Bowen said.

“Front Page began brilliantly on our outside but he jumped to the right and flattened him.

“It wasn’t ideal and instead of being up close he was back in the field but he did run on well so it was a pass mark run.”

Bowen has earmarked the Listed Recognition Stakes at Eagle Farm on November 23 as the prime Queensland Summer Racing Carnival target for At Witz End.

“It’s 1350 metres which will suit him a lot better than the 1200 metres in the Keith Noud,” Bowen said.

“He had a rushed preparation for Sydney which wasn’t ideal but he’s come back home in good shape.

“But, for him to be competitive on Saturday he’ll need the track to be a little bit soft.

“It won’t hurt if we get some thunderstorms or rain before Saturday but at the moment, we’re targeting the Recognition and I’ll see from there where he goes next.

“I want to get some runs on the board before we throw out a line for any bigger target.”

One of those targets could include the Group 3 George Moore Stakes which will be run over 1200 metres at Doomben on November 30.

Bowen had also nominated talented filly Tectonic Plate for the Keith Noud but will wait for another day with the seven-time winner.

He also pulled the pin on a Weetwood Handicap start at Toowoomba in September with Tectonic Plate, who hasn’t raced since finishing third to the Matthew Hoysted-trained Hold On Honey in a 1200 metre Open Handicap at Doomben in late August.

“I thought she would need the run over 1200 metres at this stage of her preparation so I’ve decided to be patient with her and she’ll barrier trial next week before she resumes,” Bowen said.

“She’s heading to the (Listed) Tattersall’s Classic on the same day as the Recognition.

“She had a bit of a setback after her last run but we’ve managed it well and she’s had a good freshen up.”

Bowen plans to target more stakes races over the summer including the Listed Mode Stakes and Listed Just Now with Tectonic Plate to help boost her broodmare value.