Abbey forging her own path

Talented Victorian reinswoman Abbey Turnbull has no hesitation in describing her first treble at Wagga Wagga’s meeting on Friday (August 5) as “absolutely, no doubt” her harness racing career highlight.

And it didn’t hurt that the final leg of a superbly driven trio of winners was her favorite horse the talented juvenile Hiranya (Bettors Delight) trained by her dad Craig Turnbull.

“Particularly with the quality of horses that I got to drive at Wagga, I was just glad to be on them.  You always need a little bit of luck, and we got luck on the day,” Turnbull said.

The 23-year-old, who still attracts a three-point claim but has amassed 118 career victories, perhaps sells herself short.

For her first win at Wagga, she rated Bravo Stride to a nicety in front for trainer Russell Jack, allowing the youngster to power away in the straight to score by four metres over his rivals, including the more fancied stablemate Erupt Stride, in 1:53.6.

Abbey then followed through with a stable double for her father Craig and Riverina owner Michael Boots.

She gave another dominant front-running display courtesy of three-year-old National News (who won by 12.5 metres 1:58.9) then followed up with a textbook drive from the one-out-two-back on Hiranya, emerging on the home corner to score by 15 metres in 1:54.7.

“Our two boys (Hiranya and National News (Sportswriter) are big characters and they’re lovely horses to drive,” Turnbull said.

“The other one, Bravo Stride (a two-year-old first starter by Captaintreacherous) just went amazing – I’m grateful to Russell and (owner) Emilio (Rosati) for giving me the opportunity on him.”

National News has now won four from nine starts and Hiranya (who was having his first start back since winning the Tasmanian Derby in March) made it three on end since arriving at the Turnbull stable from New Zealand.

“It’s a great credit to dad.  He works so hard, and it was such a good reflection on the horseman he is and the time and effort he puts in,” Abbey said.

“We’ve got about 20 horses in work at the stable, and everyone just does their jobs, so we don’t work any particular horses – but I have to admit Hieranya is my favorite,” she said.

“He loves a cuddle as well as being a beautiful horse, and I can’t thank Mick and Erica (Tongs) enough for letting me drive him and be part of his journey.  They never put any pressure on you at any stage, they just want to have fun and want me to have fun as well.

“Mick is an amazing person to be associated with and has given so many people in harness racing an opportunity.”

Abbey has deferred her university studies in osteopathy (whole-body treatment of muscles, bones, joints and tissues including organs and the nervous system) and is this year working full time at the Turnbull stables at Tatura.

“Last year was pretty hectic with COVID and everything, so this year I’ve deferred to just focus on the horses for a year,” she said.

“I love the sport and being able to get behind new horses and drive for different people.  I think one of the great things about our sport is that it’s truly a level playing field for all genders.

“We’re lucky that we’ve got some amazing women here who are some of the best drivers in Australia, if not the world.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink