Steve takes the reins

28 December 2022

Champion horseman Steve Turnbull makes a return to the sulky tonight at Bathurst.

The 66-year-old trainer has not driven in a race since October.

Turnbull has scaled back his driving in recent times and the last winner he took the reins behind was Smooth Buzz at Bathurst last March.

Turnbull has four drives tonight and has six of his own horses racing.

At the same venue on Monday night, Bathurst’s Carnival of Cups meeting, Turnbull won the Shirley Turnbull Memorial with Smooth Baht. The feature race named in his mother’s honour was formerly the Bathurst Christmas Cup and has been held since 1954 and renamed in 1988.

As a trainer Turnbull had won the feature four times before with Slick Bromac (2009), Smooth Dixie (2001), Red Chief (1993) and Cocky Brother (1988).

This year’s winner, Smooth Baht, was driven by Turnbull’s daughter Amanda and the pair raced four pegs before gaining a clear run along the sprint lane to win in a rate of one minute and 57.3 seconds.

 

The iForm best bets for Wednesday:

 

Bathurst best bet

Race 7: Buddy Rockx (2)

First starter with excellent claims following a handy Bathurst trial.

 

Bathurst next best

Race 2: Rainbow Titan (9)

Despite a tricky drawn keeps favourite players very honest finding this easier than recent attempts.

 

Play the exotics 

The Bathurst quaddie

Race 5: 3-4-7-2

Race 6: 3-6-5-10

Race 7: 2-5

Race 8: 6-5-10-7

$128 for 100%