14 March 2019 | FARREN HOTHAM
LEGEND is an overused word in sport but when the evergreen Steve Turnbull turns out five winners on one night before Bathurst’s big carnival the crowd were yelling out for more.
The Inter Dominion-winning reinsman won two himself and while his children Amanda and Mitch drove the otehr three to victory for the long time mentor.
In a preview to the coveted Two-Year-Old Gold Crown the master reinsman used patience to send his colt Smooth Baht wide on the turn and finished with a fast run off good sectionals to score.
‘’He’s a nice horse. I was confident with him,’’ the quietly spoken homegrown son of the great Tony Turnbull said.
Smooth Baht now prepares for a crack at Australia’s premier two-year-old classic against hot opposition with an inform trainer driver.
Earlier Anthony Frisby secured an impressive victory on Steele who booted to the front off the pole and was never headed.
‘’He felt good and once in the straight he was going confidently. He’ll improve even further for the Crown,’’ Frisby said.
It was the slower of the two heats but the rising star driver said he knew ‘’We have a good one on our hands.’’
The Gold Tiara Bathurst’s other premier two year classic for fillies previewed some top talent. Joeys Joy powering away to win a preview race in impressive style or the inform Mat Rue stable.
‘’She’s done a few things wrong but I kind of blame myself a bit for that. But tonight, she showed she is getting there and I felt good with her. She’ll be improved by the run and I like her chances in the Tiara,’’ he said.
An impressive last quarter and good sectionals produced a smart win.
Our Ultimate Hanna dominated the other qualifier with trainer Jarrod Alchin guiding the bay filly to a powerful win. In the end winning by 12 metres.
‘’I think she can improve a lot on that and she was going well. Few things not exactly right but she’s still learning.’’ He said.
The Gold Crown begins Friday March 22 and this was just a taste on the stars on offer when the best converge on Bathurst for one of the Australia’s biggest harness carnivals which highlights the future stars of the sport.
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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