Top reinswoman in demand

Bathurst harness racing trainer-driver Amanda Turnbull has become accustomed to having busy nights wherever she races.

Yet, on Wednesday night at Bathurst, the star driver will be really on the hop when she takes the reins behind eight horses on the 10-race program.

Of those she is driving, six of them are short-priced favourites so it is likely that her scoresheet for the night will be impressive.

Four Heats of the New South Wales Breeders Challenge for the two-year-olds are being run at Bathurst tonight and Amanda has three of the favourites.

“I am driving two of dad’s geldings that are pretty short, and I rate both of them among my strongest chances of winning,” said Turnbull.

“Sir Veran didn’t really have things go his way at Parkes last start, yet he wasn’t beaten all that far and I do expect him to bounce back on the bigger track.”

Prior to the Parkes run, the Betting Line-bred youngster was only narrowly beaten against older company, which was his first run for three months.

Allstarzzz Frankie is one of two leading chances for Steve Turnbull in the second Breeders Challenge heat for the colts and geldings and from barrier four should take a power of beating.

“He was also in the heat at Parkes where they ran a 28.2s last quarter,” said Turnbull.

“He was back near the tail of the field where it was hard to make ground.

“If he can gain a forward position, I have no doubt he will be right in the finish.”

Amanda will drive her own filly, Lady Angelina in the first of the fillies’ heats and comes up against the unbeaten Not To Be Denied, which will undoubtedly be the one to beat.

Lady Angelina won on debut at Bathurst on August 27 but has been well beaten in two starts since.

In the second fillies’ heat, Turnbull is aboard Perfect As I Am, which was bred and is raced by her mother Jenny.

The Sweet Lou filly rated a fast 1.56.9 in winning last Friday night, but she does have to contend with the Tony Higgs-trained and reined Silk Cloud.

Silk Cloud has an impressive record that includes a win in the Group 2 Pink Bonnet and a third placing in the Bathurst Gold Tiara, which was her last race start in March.

To view fields for Bathurst on Wednesday night click here.

By Michael Dumesny for HRNSW