Tough Local Filly Takes on the Big Guns in Rich Northern Jewel

Young Townsville trainer Megan Purvis knows her pint-sized filly Arguable faces a mountain to climb to win Friday’s $105,000 Great Northern Brewing Co. 3YO QTIS Northern Jewel at Cluden Park.

But just having a runner in the North’s richest three-year-old race is reward enough for Purvis who has enjoyed a breakout season with her small string of hand-picked performers.

A home town win against Rockhampton raiders Better Than Words, Astra Star and Lonhy’s Fabre and Bowen galloper Head Honcho might seem a bridge too far but Arguable knows how to spring an upset.

Bought for just $10,000, the stocky little daughter of Dubious stunned her opposition in a QTIS 3/4YO feature over Friday’s distance as a 40-1 rank outsider three starts back.

“I knew it was going to be tough for that sort of prize money and there’s some quality three-year-olds around,” Purvis said.

“I said to the owners that it’s going to be a very hard race but we’ve only got the QTIS bonuses for three-year-olds and she’ll be four in August and I thought we might as well have a crack at it.

“It’s her distance and you’ve got to be in it to win it. She’ll be thereabouts and she’ll try her heart out.

“At her last start Zac Sprie rode her and she just didn’t quite get the mile. He said she just felt the pinch in the last 200m but thought he was the winner at the top of the straight.

“I don’t think she handled the Cairns track at her start before, just that different surface and fast tempo so there have been excuses.

“Zac was pretty keen to ride her tomorrow but I’ve stuck with Nathan Thomas who’s won on her and has been pretty loyal to me.

“She’s not big but she’s wide and strong and she’s got a big heart. I’m pretty keen to see how she goes tomorrow and I know she’ll give it her best shot.”

Purvis will also saddle up her stable’s best performer Strathcona in the Ladbrokes BM70 Hcp (1609m) after a freshen up.

Strathcona has been a big improver for Purvis, landing four of her seven winners this season, and she’s expecting a drop in class and 3kg claim of apprentice Zac Sprie to boost his chances.

Premier Townsville trainer Georgie Holt is worried a huge 62kg impost may anchor down pint-sized galloper Satisfied Mugs in the Lawrence & Hanson 2YO Classic Prelude (1000m).

Holt will use Friday’s Prelude as Satisfied Mugs final, one and only hit out for the $100,000 Lawrence & Hanson Townsville 2YO Classic (1200m) on June 7.

The son of Invader, a winner of three races, last raced when he struck severe interference and finished unplaced in the $500,000 2YO QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast on March 15.

“The weight is the issue because he’s not a big horse. I did ring up (the handicapper) to argue our case but it made no difference,” Holt said. 

“This happens to us every year. We have one or two that are early runners and win a couple of races and they get punished with big weights.

“Obviously in the 2yo Classic he‘ll drop back to set weights but my concern is that in the prelude he has to carry 62kg.

“On his work and his trial I’m very happy with him. He’ll still give 100 per cent, and he’s drawn ideally which is a huge help with the big weight.

“His form last time in was very good and nothing went right in the QTIS Jewel at the Gold Coast.

“It was a horror show. He got beaten up pretty badly and had a fair bit of skin off from being galloped on.

“That’s why we elected to put him straight in the paddock and give him plenty of time so we could focus on getting him ready for the Townsville classic.”