Mitch on the right track

Bathurst harness racing reinsman Mitch Turnbull is currently driving in career best form with the current season shaping as his most successful to date.

Turnbull bagged a winning treble on ANZAC Day at the Forbes Club’s TAB Carnival of Cups meeting which closely followed a double at Parkes last Wednesday night.

Being the youngest son of Jenny and Steve Turnbull, Mitch has had the unenviable challenge of following in the footsteps of his siblings Nathan, Josh and Amanda who have all met with good success in the industry.

With more opportunities presenting themselves, Mitch is making the most of them.

Mitch has patiently served his apprenticeship behind his siblings to currently become his father’s foreman and number one stable driver.

“Our horses are racing very well at the present time, and I am fortunate to be in the driver’s seat,” said Turnbull.

“We have some nice horses who are either coming back from a spell or are dropping back for racing in the feature juvenile races and getting back into races that they can win.

“These opportunities have made me more committed to being on my game and I feel that I am driving much better, giving our horses the right run and every chance of winning.”

One of Turnbull’s best efforts on ANZAC Day was aboard Baxter Red who overcame an awkward barrier seven draw over the short course compliments of a copybook drive.

Turnbull never hesitated getting Baxter Red off the pegs shortly after the start and then made a lightening move with 1000 metres to run, dashing to the lead and never being headed thereafter.

“I think Baxter needed that win as a confidence booster. He has been racing against the top horses of his age group so a win like that will do him the world of good.”

Turnbull will have a busy night at his home track of Bathurst tonight where he has five drives on the eight race program.

“The Rainbow Beach is a horse that I have always had plenty of time for and he looks to have a good each-way chance in race three.”

“He won a heat of the Gold Crown last season and has always raced against the better juveniles.”

Last start Wagga winner, Ideal In Dreams (Jack Trainor) will be the hardest for The Rainbow Beach to beat.

To view the fields for Bathurst on Wednesday night click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW