Okanui Beach storms home for Beautide success

Tasmanian bred but Victorian trained and driven Okanui Beach (Downbytheseaside) proved to be a worthy winner of this years LAFM $100,000 Beautide at Launceston on Saturday evening.

Trained by Craig Turnbull and driven by his daughter Abby, Okanui Beach was considered a prospect in what was one of the most open editions of the Beautide.

The highly talented duo of three year olds Likeyouforareason and Always Bettor were the favoured pair ahead of Barbary Tales and Hungry Hippo while Okanui Beach was awkwardly drawn on the inside of the second row.

Likeyouforareason looked as if he might hold the early lead but he was checked when challenged for the lead by The Bride who eventually crossed over. Despite the check Likeyouforareason ended up with a one out and one back trail while the well supported Barbary Tales was left outside the leader.

The race changed complexion when Alex Ashwood on the talented four year old Hungry Hippo made a daring move around the field to take up the running. This pushed Okanui Beach three back on the rails and his chances of getting a clear run looked forlorn as they left the back straight.

Both Likeyouforareason and Always Bettor issued their runs along the back straight but they labouring on the final bend. Hungry Hippo appeared as if he might hold them off but Abby Turnbull was able to extricate off the fence and once clear she burst on the scene to put the issue quickly beyond doubt.

Outsider Carmen Enjay came from well back to grab second ahead of Hungry Hippo while Unmatched who was behind Okanui Beach came along the inside for fourth.

Craig Turnbull has been campaigning in Tasmania for the last month and he’s capped off a successful trip with the win of Okanui Beach.

As a two year old Okanui Beach won the Dandy Patch classic and last year finished second to Hungry Hippo in the Globe Derby classic for three year olds. He’s mixed his racing in Victoria and Tasmania with success and his in the Beautide was thoroughly deserved.

The Launceston club would have been delighted with the quality of the field in the Beautide and it’s an strong  indicator of the strength of Tasmanian harness racing with plenty of up and comers on the scene.

Forthcoming classics include the Tasmanian Derby and Oaks to be run at Hobart on 16 August.