Turnbull launches three-pronged Waratah Stakes assault

Bathurst trainer-driver Amanda Turnbull is making a three-pronged assault on the qualifying heat of the Waratah Stakes, the feature harness racing event on the second day of West Wyalong’s two-meeting carnival on Sunday.

 

All three of the Turnbull runners have drawn on the second line over the 1740 metre trip which was no surprise for the accomplished mentor given that the barrier draw was based on the better classed horses being handicapped that way.

Amanda’s proven record of successfully setting horses for races under heat and final conditions almost gives an expectation that at least one of her pacers is likely toqualify for the $25,500 final which will be run at Menangle on Saturday November 7.

The champion reinswoman who has driven 2,618 winners in her glittering career will be aboard former New Zealander Sweet Dreams who will start from a tricky gate seven draw on the inside of the second row but if anyone can overcome thatadversity, Amanda can.

The five-year-old mare hit the ground running when she arrived in Australia midway through the year, scoring a hattrick of wins on her home track but then found the metropolitan class at Menangle a little too strong.

She was returning from a let-up last week at West Wyalong and she needed that hit out which will benefit her greatly for this afternoon’s assignment.

“We are going to need some luck from that draw that is for sure,” said Turnbull.

“There are plenty of nice horses in the race, it is never easy to win these Waratah series.”

“Champagne Walsh won the Cup here last weekend in track record time and a couple of others have been racing really well.”

“But my three are all here to qualify and it would be great if we can get a couple into the final.

“It was pretty hard for me to choose which of my trio I should drive as I feel that they all have sound claims.”

Fakistra who will start from barrier eight ran three handy placings at Bathurst found trouble last week and finished tailed off while She The Devil was a Cowra winner back on September 13.

Like Turnbull, Eugowra trainer Grant Jones is hoping that he can have multiple qualifiers in the Waratah Stakes Final with Cup winner Champagne Walsh and handy mare Bizzie Lizzie both engaged in the heat also.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW