Sprinter gets weight relief

SOME welcome relief from the handicapper has Charters Towers gelding Simply Marvellous primed for his “grand final” in today’s Townsville Guineas Three- Years- Old Handicap ( 1609m) at Cluden Park.

Simply Marvellous has been the model of consistency throughout his three- year- old season, missing a place just twice in his 13 career starts including four wins.

That success has come at a cost and he’s had to carry at least 60kg in his last three races, with trainer Ben Williams conceding that weight had started to catch up with his star sprinter.

Simply Marvellous ran fourth in the Townsville Dollars Three- Years- Old Handicap ( 1400m) on July 15 when he carried 60.5kg, but that result has also seen him drop back to 58kg for today’s Winter Carnival feature.

Bold Shot for Sunshine Coast trainer Garnett Taylor is the early favourite, but Williams said he was confident Simply Marvellous would produce another impressive run.

“To be honest, he hasn’t put a foot wrong this preparation,” Williams said.

“He was just a little bit dour in the Dollars the other day, but he’s carrying big weights. The handicapper’s been getting at him a little bit because he’s highly rated.

“They’ve given him a bit of relief for the Guineas and actually dropped him 2.5kg. He’s only carried half a kilo less in his whole career.

“I’ve made a gear change and put the blinkers back on him and also added tongue tie. Hopefully he gets his mojo back a little bit after carrying the big weights.”

Simply Marvellous will push out to the mile for the first time today, but Williams has enlisted the services of veteran jockey Graham Kliese and he was confident the horse would rise to the occasion.

“It’s his last run this prep and the competition level is pretty high, but he’ll run well,” Williams said.

“He’s done all his racing in Townsville and knows the track. Graham has done a superb job with him.

“I had to give him a couple of sprint distances, which his record is better at, but I’ve slowly stepped him out to 1300m and then 1400m.

“There’s no better rider than Graham to steer him.

“The Guineas is the grand final so we’ll be happy to be there.”