21 December 2015
by Terry Neil
Leading driver Amanda Turnbull maintained her record of feature race success on visits back home, by taking out the Soldiers Saddle final at Bathurst last Friday.
Turnbull took full advantage of a favourable barrier in four to cross immediately to the lead with heat winner Happy To Go ($4.30 ), and dictated terms throughout the 2260 metres event.
Comfortable opening quarters in 31.4 and 29.1 ensured that there would be plenty of action over the final lap. Sams Cam and race favourite Karloo Ten Seventy came three-wide from the bell, to join the strongly-fancied Mister Jogalong sitting outside the leader.
With the top four horses in the market occupying the first four positions as the field reached the half-mile, the tempo of the race lifted, with a strong third quarter in 28.7 enabling the leading division to break clear of the field on reaching the turn.
Just as it appeared the leader would succumb to the challenges of Mister Jogalong and Sams Cam out wide in the straight, Turnbull demonstrated exactly why she is one of the leading drivers in the country. Sitting ever so still in the cart, she made an almost imperceptible movement with her hands to allow Happy to Go to live up to her name, closing out a final quarter in 28.9, for a strong 1:58.6 mile rate.
It's not correct to say the winner was untouched, but that's just the way it looked. In every sport, the best athletes both inspire, and disarm, us by making the extraordinary look commonplace.
This was the twenty-third running of the Soldiers Saddle, a race won by many good horses such as Jaccka Taurus, Saint William and Saloon Passage. Having won it twice previously, with Avonnova and Mavrick, Amanda Turnbull becomes the most successful driver in the race.
Dubbo owners Jeff and Nea Costello purchased the Bettors Delight daughter as a future broodmare, but with four wins from nine starts this season, including a scintillating track-record at Blayney recently, that prospect looks a fair way off.
And as Jeff explained after receiving the impressive Soldiers Saddle trophy from councillor Ian Miller, representing race sponsors the Bathurst R.S.L. Club, the decision on when the mare finally goes to stud will be made by - guess who, Amanda herself. "She's the boss," he grinned.
Bruce Springsteen, move over!
In the the Soldiers Saddle Consolation, Smokin Bopper ($2.80 favourite ) saluted for a pair of Nathans - trainer Hurst and driver Xuereb - and an enthusiastic bunch of owners who rejoice in their own description of the seven-year-old as "the people's horse."
After a blistering lead time of 45.8 seconds, Xuereb moved three-wide around the field to the death, and shortly after the lead, and a quick third quarter in 28.7 put the race beyond doubt, with the overall time and rate just a little quicker than the final winner in the race following.
Smokin Bopper missed last season through injury, but has two wins so far in his comeback. Judging by the loud barracking that accompanied this latest victory, "the people" are back to their best too.
Robbie Morris, absent over recent weeks, returned to Bathurst in winning style when Charlaval ($1.40 favourite, for Kerryann Turner) scored a narrow, but nonetheless easy, win in a 3YO sprint.
After maintaining a solid pace throughout, The Menangle reinsman booted away on the turn and Charlaval looked set for a runaway win, before losing concentration and slowing up in the straight - "he's done that before, so I was ready for it" - allowing Fouroeight and Taylah Studleigh to give favourite backers mild heart flutters.
Despite that easing in the home straight, the final quarter was a slick 27.5 seconds, for an overall mile rate of 1:54.7, easily the night's best.
The timing was not only quick, but appropriate. The winner is raced by Daniel Cordina, whose father Joe was laid to his rest days earlier, and it was the first win for the stable at Bathurst since the birth of their son Archie just four weeks earlier. Kerryann Turner drove her first winner since his birth, at Menangle earlier on Friday, so it proved to be a rather special day for that young family.
Other winners at the meeting:
Miles Above ($9.20, Wendy/Emma Turnbull, in C0/C1 grade), relishing the solid speed throughout to come off the leader's back for an easy win, in a sharp 1:57.7 2260 metres run;
Hi It's Only Me NZ ( $13.00, Ashlee Grives, in C1/C2 company), working three-wide to the lead, and packing too many guns over the closing stages to hold off Puffnstuff, which never stopped trying;
Midnight Prowler NZ ($8.30, Steve/Nathan Turnbull, in C3/C6 class), using the increasingly-popular Bathurst sprint lane to edge out Amanda on leader Padabing Stride, with My Lucky Belle just another head away in third, for easily the night's best finish;
Levi Jade ($12.10, Jason Gaffney/ Murray Sullivan, in a C2 conditioned class), coming with a big run over the top of the leaders, after a very quick opening quarter which took its toll;
Im With Lexy ($1.80 favourite, Bernie Hewitt, in a 2YO sprint ), all the way in 1:58.6 and a successful debut for the half-sister to Read About Lexy, and for first-season sire Roll With Joe, this being his first starter down-under.
The Bathurst HRC is gearing itself for a huge crowd at this Saturday's Carnival of Cups meeting, with the feature Shirley Turnbull Memorial, at $50,000 and of Group Two status, certain to attract a classy field, including Australian juvenile champion and future Grand Circuit star Bling It On.
Champions Drive, leading down to the Group One Feeds Paceway, will feature a series of sign outlining the history of the race, and preparing visitors for another exciting edition.
The Bathurst HRC extends Christmas best wishes to everyone in harness racing, and looks forward to seeing you on Saturday for a very special night.