Tyzone weighs into Weetwood battle but trainer Toby Edmonds says track brings him in nicely

North Queensland superstar Tyzone must carry one of the biggest imposts on record if he is to be successful in the Weetwood Handicap at Toowoomba, but his trainer says the track plays into his hands.

The pride of North Queensland Tyzone has the chance to etch his name alongside some of the most famous Weetwood winners when he ventures up the Toowoomba range on Saturday.

Trainer Toby Edmonds was originally lukewarm on a Weetwood start for the 15-times winner, but NQ-based owner Tom Hedley was keen to run in the famed Darling Downs event and has booked flights to be on track.

Edmonds’ enthusiasm about a start was bolstered after the acceptances of Cellarman and Sovereign Nation brought Tyzone into the race with less weight than he first anticipated.

“He actually goes down half a kilo (on his Goldmarket win), so it’s not too bad, but I still think 58.5kg is a decent weight for anyone,” Edmonds said.

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Tyzone has never been to Toowoomba, a track that has brought many a good horse undone over the years, but Edmonds is hoping the racing pattern can suit.

“Because it’s uphill and downhill, horses can run on there. They did at the midweek meeting,” Edmonds said.

“So if he gets that same nice run he has in his last two runs, he’s going to be one of the ones finishing off late.

“I’m just hoping he gets around there OK.”

Even without having to carry top weight, Tyzone will still be in elite company if he trumps the locals.

Tyzone gets in reasonably well at the weights in the Weetwood.

At 58.5kg, it would be the biggest weight any horse has carried to win a Weetwood since Kidman’s Cove in 1997. Before him, Seawinne (60kg in 1995) and Tiny’s Finito (59kg in 1991) also lumped big imposts to win.

Since Kidman’s Cove, Jumbo Prince, who dead-heated two years ago, has the biggest weight at 57kg.

Edmonds wasn’t overly confident of Tyzone’s Goldmarket chances first up a fortnight ago, but said the extra seven days due to the postponement of the race helped the horse overcome his reservations.

“I know a week doesn’t sound a long time, but it’s an extra two gallops and it did help,” he said.

Tyzone salutes on Oaks Day at Doomben last May. Picture: AAP

Edmonds’ son Trent has sent back positive reports on the way Houtzen has settled into her UK-base at Newmarket, ahead of her tilt on the Royal Ascot carnival in June.

“Everything is really good. Trent said it’s very interesting. A lot of different tracks to choose from and some great surfaces,” Edmonds said.

Houtzen received an inoculation to race in France this week, should connections press on deeper into the European summer.

Stablemate Acqume, who is there as a travelling companion before being bred to one of the top European stallions, could race in three weeks.