19 October 2022 | HRNSW MEDIA | MICHAEL DUMESNY
DESPITE coming up against boom Victorian colt Major Celebrity, Bathurst trainer-driver Nathan Turnbull headed into last Saturday night’s New South Wales Breeders Challenge semi-final confident that his youngster, Better Be the Best could spring an upset.
Unbeaten since returning from a spell, Better Be The Best was sent out as second favourite behind the Emma Stewart-trained Major Celebrity which was posted as a $1.40 hotpot.
But after gaining the gun run on the back of Major Celebrity, Turnbull’s stable star proved too strong in the run to the line to secure his spot in Saturday week’s $150,000 final.
Even though he has since drawn wide for the Group 1 feature, Turnbull remains optimistic about his two-year-old’s chances and is not overly concerned by the tricky barrier.
“It is not the worst of draws,” said Turnbull.
“There is likely to be a bit of speed from the outset in the final and if things pan out as they did for us on Saturday night, we will be right in the race.”
Purchased for $8,000 from the 2021 Bathurst Gold Crown Yearling Sale, Better Be The Best has already proven a bargain buy, banking $44,000 in stakes from six wins and is potentially the best horse Turnbull has trained.
“He has just been a really cool horse from day one,” he said.
“His owner Chris Buttigieg showed faith in me and his colt right from the start and it is great to be able to repay him by winning these races.”
Following the barrier draw, Turnbull believes that Captains Knock (Brad Hewitt), Major Celebrity (Mark Pitt) and Captain Ritchie (Gavin Fitzpatrick) pose as the hardest for Better Be The Best to beat.
“It is a final packed full of class and we will definitely need to be on our game to beat those horses.”
“I will keep him ticking over at home and then give him a trial next Monday to sharpen him up so that he is ready for the big dance.”
In the meantime, at Bathurst tonight, Turnbull will team up with another of his promising prospects when former kiwi two-year-old colt On Deadline contests Race 6.
An impressive winner on his Australian debut, On Deadline will start a short-priced favourite after drawing ideally in barrier one.
“He is still very raw but has a lot of speed and talent,” said Turnbull.
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