Old friends combine with Tyzone at Doomben

Trainer Lawrie Mayfield Smith will renew an association going back to his primary school days when Tyzone races at Doomben.

Tyzone was one of the best three-year-olds in north Queensland when trained in Atherton by Roy Chillemii.

The gelding won five of his eight starts in north Queensland before Chillemi brought him south to run at Eagle Farm on February 4.

Tyzone ran a strong fourth behind top Brisbane three-year-old Oink and connections decided to leave him with Mayfield-Smith at Eagle Farm.

The gelding is raced by a syndicate headed by Tom Hedley who is a renowned owner and administrator in north Queensland.

“Tom and I went to primary school together going back decades. We have been friends since and I have trained for him over the years,” Mayfield Smith said.

“They decided to leave Tyzone with me because he would have been weighted out of racing in the north.”

Mayfield Smith had intended to run Tyzone at Eagle Farm last week but instead targeted the RBWH Foundation Hcp (1200m) on Saturday.

“He drew a bad barrier last week. Saturday’s race is a no metropolitan win class and while it is strong he looks well placed,” Mayfield Smith said.

Toowoomba gelding Rhyme Nor Rhythm heads the markets as he makes his return to the city after an easy home track win three weeks ago.

Rhyme Nor Rhythm had been earmarked foe sale to Hong Kong interests but the deal fell through.