Turnbull Memorial a success for Bathurst and Swayzee

It’s remarkable that the concept of a memorial to the late Shirley Turnbull should gradually evolve over time to one of the most important races on the New South Wales harness racing calendar.

That’s precisely what’s happened with the Shirley Turnbull Memorial which this year carries a $50,000 stake and Group 3 status.

It was maybe a sign of things to come when the first running of the Shirley Turnbull Memorial was taken out in 1987 by subsequent Inter Dominion winner Thorate. Incredibly Thorate returned to Bathurst to take out the feature again in 1991.

The fastest time was set by the speedy Aztec Bromac who rated 1.55.4 back in 2016 but it was to be broken in last night’s staging of the event.

It is appropriate a tribute to the late Shirley Turnbull come from her youngest son Craig who in his own right is a successful trainer driver based in Shepparton in Victoria.

“She was very caring, always up for a chat with anyone. She was a lovely all round person. And she loved going to the races for the social side and supporting the family with the colours and race day preparations.

“Mum passed away in 1986 and they started the event nearly straight away. Mum’s race has been building up and is now one of the features of the season”.

This year Craig was making the effort to attend the big event despite his busy schedule training his team.

In the tradition of a top class field this year’s race was taken out by Swayzee (Rock N Roll Heaven) who continues to defy whatever challenges are put in front of him.

Having his first start since his brilliant New Zealand Cup win in Christchurch last month Swayzee was  a short odds on favourite and he was never going to give his supporters any cause for concern.

From the outside of the second row Swayzee was given time to settle down by Cameron Hart before making his trademark sprint around the field to take up the running after the field has completed a lap. Given a crucial breather Swayzee just cruised along to have his rivals doing all the chasing without making any significant ground.

Kanena Provlema tried hard and even Smooth Buzz made a run for it turning for home but in running his last quarter in 27.9 seconds Swayzee cruised to a comfortable win over Smooth Buzz and a gallant Kanena Provlema sticking it out for third placing. And in winning Swayzee set a new track record with a mile rate of 1.54.9 for the 2790 metres.

SWAYZEE REPLAY

It’s a well publicised fact that Swayzee’s mission is to win the five country cups and if does so he will earn a $1 million bonus. Having already won the first two selected cups at Parkes and Young, Swayzee will tackle Tamworth and Albury before taking on the final feature the Renshaw Cup at Penrith on 15 March.

Indications are that Swayzee’s trainer Jason Grimson will bypass the Hunter Cup at Melton in order to focus on the Country Cups bonus.

But in the process of his quest Swayzee is now added to the list of Shirley Turnbull Memorial honour roll and that is a tribute to both the late Shirley Turnbull and Swayzee who is arguably Australia’s best stayer currently racing.

by Tony Milanese, for Harnesslink