02 March 2023 | Rick Lee
Respected trainer Nathan Turvey makes a rare return to Friday night driving when he pilots inform pacer Eton Rock in the Chandon 4YO Classic at Gloucester Park.
Turvey made a huge impression in the sulky early in his career but has stepped back in recent seasons to concentrate on training and to build up his 10ha Ravenswood property.
He drove winners of more than $1 million in stakemoney in consecutive seasons – 2015/16 and 2016/17 – but only had 165 drives last season.
“I still drive some of my own when they are working through the classes but I am more than happy to let the big name drivers take the reins these days,” Turvey said.
“The property takes a lot of my focus and I am a bit on the heavy side for a driver.
“I think weight is a real factor these days. I think even more so in the last five years and I want to give my horses the best chance.”
Turvey has three runners in the $50,000 Group 3 feature on Friday night – Benji, Showpony and Eton Rock. The trio has managed to snag barriers one, two and three respectively.
“Gary (Hall jnr) will drive Benji. He is our best chance from barrier one,” Turvey said.
“I decided to drive Eton Rock because he has a few quirks. He has good ability but it is important to have someone on him who knows him.”
He has a good record on Eton Rock, driving him to victories at Narrogin in November and Gloucester Park in December.
Turvey bred Showpony, who is by Sweet Lou from Group 1 winning mare Bethany Haitch. The gelding has won five of his nine starts on provincial tracks.
He will driven by Jocelyn Young in the Classic.
“It is a step up in class for Showpony but I don’t think he will be far away. I made an error in training him from the paddock for a few weeks and he blew up like a broodmare at his last start.
“But I think we have got him back now.”
Turvey also has strong winning claims with surprise packet Mea Culpa in race two. He will be driven by inform young reinsman Kyle Symington.
Mea Culpa came to WA in December with a reputation as a consistent performer on Victorian country tracks.
But he has already won six races and more than $40,000 in three months in WA, including a city win last month, and Turvey thinks he has more to give.
“He was a cheapy and has far exceeded our expectations already,” he said.
“He should go really well from barrier one but it’s a nice enough field.
“He sat in the breeze and finished third to Machnificent and Handsandwheels in 1.53 (milerate) last month at Gloucester Park, which shows he has plenty of depth.”
It could be a big weekend for Turvey, who takes three horses to Northam on Saturday night with winning chances.
He has two newcomers – four-year-old mare Rocknroll Sass and New Zealand import My Little Big Man – and consistent performer Franco Western.
Turvey thinks his best chance will be Rocknroll Sass, who has only been in his stable for seven weeks.
“I like her. She has had a couple of little niggles but I think we are on top of them,” he said.
“She won in 1.53.9 over 1670m in Cobram at her last start before she came to WA and she has settled in well.
“I think Franco Western has a chance. He is a battler but he drops back in class.
“My Little Big Man was not an expensive buy. He will win races but he is not going to be a star.”
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