Trifecta gives Nathan Turnbull hope

As the Bathurst Harness Racing Club’s annual Gold Crown Carnival looms, The Lagoon trainer Nathan Turnbull has good reason to feel optimistic.

On Friday night he picked up a trifecta in the Graeme Board and Co Sales Graduate Two Year Old Final (1,730 metres), a race which provides a good form guide for the carnival.

The field consisted entirely of runners who are eligible for the two biggest races on the Bathurst calendar – the Group 1 Gold Crown and Gold Tiara.

A pair of Turnbull’s Gold Crown eligible runners battled it out down the home straight, Our Sams Home getting the nod over stablemate Flash In Sam by a half neck.

Gold Tiara eligible filly Lady Zaras Home snared third, a further 10¾m back.

“You don’t even dream of things like that, that was unreal,” Turnbull, who drove the runner-up, said.

“They’ve shown a bit, so you are always hopeful, but to have it play out is fantastic.”

With four members of his team earning their place in the decider after doing well enough in their heats a week earlier, the trainer enlisted the help of his family.

Younger sister Amanda steered $2.20 favourite Our Sams Home, he took the job with Flash In Sam ($13), brother Mitch guided Artistic Sam ($21.60) and father Steve drove Lady Zaras Home ($11.80).

Nathan Turnbull felt he was set for an upset as Flash In Sam, a Major In Art colt, took the lead as the finish line loomed.

But Amanda, who currently sits third in the Harness Racing New South Wales drivers’ premiership, found a way to beat him.

“I thought I had her. The boys work together at home all the time and there’s not much between them,” he said.

“I thought I had her midway down the straight, but she got me. She really is just unbelievable, I’m lucky to snap her up sometimes.”

Though Turnbull will face stiff opposition over the course of the Gold Crown Carnival, the final trifecta will no doubt give him hope.

The closest he has come to success in the headline act was two years ago when Sams The Master placed a close third in the Gold Crown Final.

It was the fancied KerryAnn Turner trained filly Hannah Mae ($2.40) who rolled to the head of the field once the green light was given.

Flash In Sam was out of position for the start, having drawn barrier 11, but quickly made up the ground.

As the bell sounded Nathan Turnbull set off on a three wide move with him, one which Amanda Turnbull followed with Our Sams Home. 

Steve Turnbull had ducked in behind the leader in third with Lady Zaras Home, while Mitch Turnbull temporarily occupied the death seat with Artistic Sam.

As they rolled off the back straight and turned for home, Hannah Mae faded. Our Sams Home, who had punched on into the death seat, took over in the lead.

While Flash In Sam came hard and nosed in front with 100m to go, Our Sams Home kicked again to take the honours.

It was the maiden win for the Roll With Joe x Our Ladylight gelding, who clocked a 1:57.7 mile rate.

The Gold Crown Carnival starts March 15.

By Anya Whitelaw 

Reprinted with permission of The Western Advocate