Twelve Group 1 wins and onto the next

Amanda Turnbull has achieved a great deal in harness racing during the past decade.

Recognised as one of the best drivers in Australasia, her ability in the gig is quite astonishing and is highlighted by her consistency in recording more than a century of winners during the past 11 seasons, with 2013 being her best when she racked up 203 winners.

Last Wednesday night on her home track in Bathurst, Turnbull notched up her 12th Group 1 winner when she partnered Lyrical Genius (Somebeachsomewhere) to an all-the-way win in the $100,000 TAB Regional Championships – Western Final.

The win in the rich series was made even sweeter as the four-year-old is raced by Amanda’s mother Jenny in partnership with longtime friend Peter Crennan and Beau Michlik, a first time owner and work colleague of Crennan.

“It was a thrill for me to this win this race for Mum, Pete and Beau,” said Amanda.

“This fella has been more than a handful from the outset, but thankfully his owners have been patient, allowing me the time to get him more tractable in his races.

“The ability has always been there, and I knew he had a feature race win in him.”

Wednesday’s final went perfectly to script for Turnbull with the gelding showing sufficient speed to find the lead from gate two.

From there, Amanda was able to control the race, only having to ask Lyrical Genuis to let down in the last half which he ran in a fast 56.2 seconds.

Runner up, Ballerini was game in defeat as she raced without cover and fought hard to the line.

“I could not have asked for a better run in transit. I knew my bloke would be hard to run down after having such a cosy first half.”

LYRICAL GENIUS / AMANDA TURNBULL REPLAY

Lyrical Genius will now contest this Saturday night’s TAB Regional Championships State Final at Tabcorp Park Menangle and has drawn well in barrier three.

However, his main danger, Rocknroll Runa who took out the Riverina final has drawn inside him in gate two.

Despite this, Turnbull remains confident that her pacer is good enough to win.

“I am happy with the draw and feel Lyrical Genius is getting better with each run.”

Amanda has six drives at Bathurst tonight (May 25) with last start Dubbo winner Imperial Power appearing to be her best winning chance.

For complete Menangle Saturday race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW