Another milestone for Turnbull

It has been a season to remember for Bathurst harness racing horseman Nathan Turnbull.

After notching up some important milestones in 2021, the affable character brought up another at Canberra on Monday night when he scored aboard Sweet Annie (Panspacificflight) to record his 100^th winner as a reinsman for the current term.

Turnbull has also acquired some smart two-year-olds for his stable, the most talented being Better Be The Best (Shoobees Place), who ran a luckless second in the recent Group 1 Breeders Challenge final at Menangle.

Turnbull and his family put in the hard yards to best place their horses, travelling to race meetings all over the state.

“There is no doubt that it has been a great year for us,” said Turnbull.

“I cannot take all the credit though.

“It is a whole family effort.

“Carly and our kids, Jett and Lacey, work so hard alongside me to get these results.

“It makes me so proud when we achieve these milestones knowing that they are a huge part of it.

“And the rest of my family and close friends give me so much support as well, for which I am always grateful.

“I am not scared to travel with my horses to get results.

“We have such a great client base and all I want to do is get the best results for them.”

Turnbull will get another chance to win his maiden Group 1 race this Saturday night (Nov. 12) at Tabcorp Park Menangle when Better Be The Best lines up in the Breeders Challenge Blue final for two-year-old colts and geldings.

But he has again drawn wide in gate nine, so Turnbull understands his colt has a hefty task ahead of him.

Yet he is happy with the way the horse has handled himself at the top level and has come through the hard racing.

“After he missed the start and then made up so much ground to run second in the big one, I did not know whether to laugh or cry,” said Turnbull.

“His run was huge to finish so close and I was thrilled with his performance.

“But deep down I felt it was the one that got away on us.

“On paper, my bloke does appear to be the one to beat on Saturday night.

“But there are a couple of nice horses in the race, so I will not be taking things for granted.”

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW