Young Jake Turpin has a spring in his step.
And for obvious reasons.
The 20-year-old Queenslander is a professional rugby league player contracted to the Melbourne Storm and he received news today (Friday) that he will make the trip to New Zealand next weekend for the Auckland Nines carnival.
The carnival is an important precursor to the NRL competition which officially starts on the weekend of March 2.
Turpin is one of the 19-man squad representing the Melbourne Storm franchise.
“It’s very exciting to be heading to Auckland for the Nines; the whole squad is excited after a big pre-season. It will be a good competition.” Turpin said.
Now, he’s hoping his good fortunes continue this weekend.
Turpin shares ownership of talented pacers Mattgregor and Watch Pulp Fiction who are both entered for feature events over the weekend.
Mattgregor starts in the Gr.2 $50,000 Cordina Foods Paleface Adios Stakes at TABCORP Park, Menangle tomorrow night (Saturday).
The race is a qualifier for the Gr.1 $200,000 Chariots of Fire on February 11.
Watch Pulp Fiction starts on Sunday in the main race at Goulburn, the Gr.3 $31,800 Goulburn Soldiers Club Frank & Edna Day Cup.
Both pacers are prepared by Jake’s older sister Chantal and will be driven by her husband Pete McMullen.
The Turpin/McMullen stable are currently campaigning a team of 19 in Sydney.
“Both horses we got from New Zealand and both go pretty good, the main reason for the Sydney campaign was to give these two horses at shot at the better races.
“Mattgregor is racing in excellent form but this is his biggest test and he’s drawn a bit wide but with luck, he’ll be right amongst them while Watch Pulp Fiction had excuses last week so be prepared to forgive him for that effort. Fingers crossed for both anyway.”
Turpin is one of a few NRL players currently racing Standardbreds with several of the Canberra Raiders players also involved in ownership including Club captain Jarrod Crocker through the Brad Hewitt stables.
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