Turnbull not fazed by defeat

Nathan had given Flash In Sam a perfect trip in the one-one and looked set for victory, but lost out in a desperate battle to his sister Amanda, on the $2.20 favourite Our Sams Home. The margin was just a half-neck.

After acknowledging the driving talents of his kid sister, and those remarkable hands of hers that can coax wins from seemingly beaten runners, Turnbull instead basked in the satisfaction of his training effort, in providing all three placegetters in the $19,000 final.

Lady Zara’s Home, driven by his father Steve, took the minor placing, but as the first filly home in the combined race, she earned a $5,000 bonus.

The trio, and a fourth starter in the race, Artistic Sam, were purchased by Turnbull for prominent owner and HRNSW Board member Rod Smith at last year’s Gold Crown Sale, for a combined $42K, with more than half of that recouped from their Graduate Final performances.

It was a delighted owner who enjoyed the rare pleasure of lining up for a photo with all three placegetters, and he paid tribute to the achievement of his trainer, whom he’d coaxed back into the sport several years ago following a long break.

They’d enjoyed success in the previous race, the fast class of the meeting, with Sams The Master justifying his prohibitive $1.20 quote by leading throughout, recording a sharp 1:54.8 rate over the sprint course, setting up the win with a 27.5 third quarter before a 29.1 closer that was akin to a warm-down.

It was the fourth win from eight starts this season, which included a meritorious and slightly unlucky run in the Chariots Of Fire, and a similar strike rate for his career, with 13 wins now from his 26 starts He’ll aim up at the Young Cup, before a couple of fast-class feature races during the Gold Crown Carnival.

And all those “Sam” names ?

Sam, the first grandchild for Rod and Julie Smith, is now living in Sydney with his family which has relocated from interstate. So “Our Sam” and little sister “Lady Zara” are both “home”, much to their grandparents’ delight.

Our Wall Street Wolf  doesn’t sound sentimental in the slightest, but there was no lack of feeling following its dominant win in the 3YO colts/ geldings sprint on Friday.

The McArdle gelding was first-up in Oz for Chris Frisby and son Anthony, and was well supported at $4.00 after consistent form back in New Zealand. He came with a strong sprint to score quite convincingly.

For owner Warren Lonard, the win was clearly very special. He spoke at some length following the race, explaining how the horse has given him a reason to get up and going each day. He spends some time with his pride and joy every day, taking him out for a pick and revelling in the bond that he’s struck up with the horse.

Warren described the win as the best thing that’s happened in his life for many, many years and struggled to find the words to fully convey his excitement and gratitude. He acknowledged the Frisby and Turnbull families – “just the most wonderful people”- and his late father Harold, the secretary of the Bathurst Trotting Club for over 20 years, who would be enjoying this win.

It was both touching and the best advertisement for horse ownership anyone’s seen in a long time!

Mat Rue took driving honours at the meeting with a treble- Mister Haywood ($2.30 favourite, for Phil Bourke) in CO grade, Karloo Damajor ($2.40 favourite, for Barry Lew) in a C1-C3 sprint, and Callmequeenbee($3.40) in the final 2YO event, leading throughout for an easy win.

With Amanda Turnbull grabbing a driving double with Our Sams Home and Jo An Leonie in a 3YO fillies sprint, the Bathurst leader board is getting rather crowded. Mitchell Turnbull retains his lead with 19 wins, a win ahead of Amanda Turnbull and just two clear of Mat Rue.

That’s unlikely to change much over the Gold Crown Carnival, when visiting drivers come to the fore, so the back half of the season should see an interesting battle unfold.

Other winners on Friday were Warana Court ($14.00, for Jill Cubitt and Katie McGill) in the other C1-C3 sprint, giving Katie her seventh race win, and Benalong Valley ($4.30, Trevor Monday) in a 2YO event, one of three at the meeting as the build-up to the Gold Crown continues.

Bathurst race again this Friday night, the final meeting before the commencement of the Gold Crown Carnival on Wednesday, March 15. Not too many sleeps left now!