Jett prepares for A Grade driving

BATHURST’S junior reinsman Jett Turnbull continues to rewrite the record books when it comes driving harness racing winners.

Turnbull, who recently turned 17, became the youngest reinsman to reach 100 winners in a single season in New South Wales.

His most recent record followed hot on the heels of him achieving the feat of being the youngest driver ever to have recorded a century of winners at the age of 16 years and nine months.

To cap it all off, a fortnight ago the rising star was granted his A Grade licence, enabling him to now drive at metropolitan meetings.

“It has all gone so quickly,” said Turnbull.

“I have been trying to take it all in and soak up these achievements as much as I can but to be honest it has been happening on the run and I have hardly had time to think about it.

“We work hard at home and then do a lot of travelling, it is fast-paced, and the time has gone very quickly.
“But I am just so grateful for the opportunities that I have been afforded and am a bit overwhelmed by what has unfolded.

“If you had told me when I first kicked off that I was going to be a centurion in my first full year of driving I would have laughed, but it has been a great ride so far.”

Turnbull has been notching up multiple winners at almost every race meeting he has competed at and despite only landing one winner at Eugowra on Sunday afternoon he added a few minor placings to his scoresheet.

Fast becoming the punter’s pal, Turnbull will be back in action at his local track on Wednesday night, where he has six drives on the eight-race program.

Confident that all six of his drives have realistic winning chances, Turnbull settled on Karinya Gill in Race 5 as his potential best chance of finding the winners’ circle.

Trained by his father Nathan and drawn in gate one, the gelding looks to map perfectly after coming off some luckless recent runs in stronger company.

“I like a few of my drives on the night but Karinya Gill does look well placed from where he has drawn in his race,” said Turnbull.

“There is a bit of early speed drawn around him, but I will look to take full advantage of the good barrier draw.”

Turnbull’s next drives will be at Menangle this Saturday night.

He has picked up three drives – one for his father and two for leading metropolitan trainer Jason Grimson.

Turnbull will drive Outside Fighter for Grimson in race two, the in-form Mammals Alibi for Nathan Turnbull in race four and open-class mare Illavabubbles for Grimson in race six.

For complete race entries, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW