Amanda snaps up the key drive on in-form trotter

CHAMPION Bathurst driver Amanda Turnbull doesn’t take too many drives outside of her family’s horses.

Yet she was quick to agree to drive improving square-gaiter Im Bobby at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Saturday night when the harness racing gelding chases his fourth successive win with four different drivers.

Im Bobby has drawn gate nine in Race 4, the Wards Accounting Group Trotters Mobile, and has a good record in two Menangle runs with a win and a second in his only two starts at the No. 1 track.

James Herbertson, Blake Jones and Tasmyn Potter have all been successful in recent weeks as the six-year-old gelding continues to keep some classy trotters at bay.

“I got the call up and I’ve watched Im Bobby a fair bit but other than that I don’t know that much about him,” said Turnbull.

His toughest rival is likely to be another Victorian visitor Aldebaran Zeus, who will have the services of Blake Fitzpatrick.

Aldebaran Zeus must be sick of seeing the back of Im Bobby, who has finished not far in front of him at his three most recent runs.

Turnbull also has four runners from her own stable going around at the meeting.

“Fashion Icon (Race 1) has a better draw this week and you have to nurse him a bit early,” said Turnbull.

“Hopefully he finds a good spot and if we can do that then he should go well.

Turnbull has two runners in Race 6 and she has chosen to drive Princess Ballerina while up and coming young reinsman Jye Coney will steer She The Devil.

“Princess Ballerina hasn’t done much racing but she handled going down there last start and ran a nice fourth,” said Turnbull.

“She The Devil is up in grade a bit but it should be interesting to see how she goes and she should handle them pretty well.”

In Race 7 Turnbull drives her well-performed mare Scarlett May.

“She hasn’t been getting beaten by much and we’ll keep going around and hopefully pick up one of these races,” she said.

“It’s a bit better draw this week and you just need to get the right run in the right week and you get your shot.”

Turnbull also drives Windy Hill Tara for her father Steve in Race 5.

“She had a pretty tough run at Bathurst on Wednesday night but from gate 10 we’ll try to slot in and use her speed.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Court for Harness Racing New South Wales