Despite being a committed and dedicated ‘Mum’ to two little girls, Chantal Turpin, is still Queensland’s leading female trainer.
The 27-year-old horsewoman, is currently second on the State’s training premiership behind Grant Dixon with 23 wins and 52 placings from 178 starters ($166,418).
Last season the talented Patrick Estate conditioner was also Queensland’s top female trainer with 110 winners and 119 place-getters from 790 starters ($790, 637).
“It’s been another good start to the season. I don’t drive so much these days. Pete (McMullen – husband) does all the hard yards out on the track and drives almost every day of the week.
“These days my focus is on being a ‘Mum’ to Rylee and Olivia. Our owners are also a priority, but my children are only little once and I want to spend time with them, and enjoy them as much as I can,” Turpin said.
“We also have good staff, which helps a lot. We are all a team, who want to pay our way for our loyal owners. If we can do better than that, then that is a bonus,” she added.
That “loyal” team comprises Clint Petroff, Reece Maguire, Lachie Manzelmann, C. McKinnis and sister-in-law, Taleah McMullen.
Turpin said that if she could go above and beyond targets for her owners that would ensure a successful season.
“Our owners are our priority. We also like to get 100 winners each season, and if we can better our previous year’s target then our season has been a success,” said Turpin, who works a team of 40.
And the Turpin-McMullen stable has seven horses nominated for tomorrow night’s meeting at Albion Park.
Turpin said some of them had been hindered by the national handicapping system and had therefore copped bad draws. However, some were also on the improve after having their second runs back from a spell.
“If we can get a bit of luck in the running, we could have a very good night. On paper perhaps Tin Roof Raider is our best chance in race two, but he will be relying on horses in front of him to give him a run through from gate 10.”
Turpin will drive three of the seven pacers, in spite of admitting that she prefers to train these days, and let her husband do the business on the racetrack.
Six of the seven stable representatives have copped second row draws.
Here’s what Turpin had to say about them (with draw, form, driver, and opening odds):
Race 2: TIN ROOF RAIDER (10) 25136 (Peter McMullen) – $3.50 favourite. “Mach Three 5-year-old gelding, who has had a freshen up while Albion Park was closed for a couple of weeks. This is his second run back since then. He was a little bit disappointing, but will be stronger for that run after missing three week’s training. He’s a versatile horse who is on the improve. Pete will probably have to sit and wait with him, but I still think he can go close.”
Race 3: JANIES GOT A GUN (8) 60449 (Peter McMullen) – $8 fourth favourite. “Bettors Delight mare, who is going better than what her form reads. She’s always getting bad draws because of ratings system, but she has drawn in behind one of the favourites (Soulwriter, $5), so hopefully she won’t be far away along the markers. She goes better than what she has shown, and can run a place here.”
Race 3: MY SECRET TORQUE (9) 13318 (Chantal Turpin) – $26. “She has drawn one outside her stablemate and in behind Pay Me Interest ($6). We were pretty disappointed with her last week because we know she is better than that. That was a below par run, and hopefully she can turn it around this week. There’s not much between her Janies Got A Gun. It all depends on who gets the better run through. Pete and I are very competitive people, and I always want to beat him. There’s no exception here.”
Race 6: MATTGREGOR (11) 15223 (Peter McMullen) – $5 second favourite. “We love this horse. He’s the family favourite. Our pet. We were not disappointed with his third last week. He takes a bit of work and this is also his second run back since Albion Park closed, so he will be a much fitter horse this time around. He can be right in this, even from the bad draw. We have a lot of time for him. He and Pulp Fiction are the best two in our stable.
Race 7: RUN BOY RUN (8) 26489 (Peter McMullen) – $11 third favourite. “Another gelding runner who has copped a second line draw, but has been going well from the second line in the past. The fence will help him here because he follows out the one horse, who can hopefully lead. Place.”
Race 7: FEEL THE REIGN (12) 38424 (Chantal Turpin) $17. “The rating system has done this fella no favours either. He went well at Redcliffe, but from the tricky draw will be searching for luck here.”
Race 10: WATCH PULP FICTON (2) 22142 (Chantal Turpin) $3.80 second favourite. “This is our only front row draw of the night, and he’ a good chance from two. Pete is driving Glenferrie Hood ($3 favourite) because he knows I like to sit in behind this one. He has always clicked with Mattgregor and me this fella. This is his first run back since Albion Park closed and he will need the run. In saying that he does go well fresh, but this is a quality field and he will have to be spot on. He s an improver. Whatever happens he will be better for the run.”
Approved By Dean Baring www.harnessbred.com
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