Turnbull and Jack continue Gold Crown family ties

Their renowned fathers each have their names etched on the Bathurst Gold Crown Honor Roll and now both Nathan Jack and Amanda Turnbull have joined the illustrious list, combining to win the two-year-old Group 1 feature with classy harness racing colt Chart Topper (Captaintreacherous).

Jack’s father Russell has supported the juvenile carnival since its inception and took out the Crown in 2004 with Albert Terrill as both trainer and driver while Amanda’s father Steve partnered with Newcastle trainer Glenn Powell to win the race aboard Burrell in 2002.

Chart Topper was dominant in his heat win last Friday week, and after drawing gate one for the final was sent out a well supported $4 second favourite behind Timmy Rictor for the $150,000 feature with many expecting him to lead and be hard to run down.

Turnbull was able to get the son of Captaintreacherous away well from the inside draw and retained the lead.

From there Chart Topper was rated perfectly by Amanda, leaving enough petrol in the tank to fight off the late challenge from Timmy Rictor who was gallant in defeat after coming from well back in the field.

Outsider Maurlen Boy flooded home to grab third ahead of the remaining runners that were never really in the hunt.

“Amanda is one of the best in the business,” said Jack.

“She rated my bloke perfectly and it was just amazing to win this race.” 

“Chart Topper is owned by some of my biggest and most loyal owners, the Anderson and Cluse families so to win a Gold Crown for them is something special.”

The colt will now head to the paddock for well-earned spell with connections content to give him a lengthy break to allow him time to grow and mature.

“I have always been of the belief that he will be a better later in the year and then as a three year old.”

“He has done everything that has been asked of him to date so we are more than happy to put him away and let him mature.”

Jack and Turnbull went close to making it a Group 1 double with their filly Eye Believe, finishing second in the Gold Tiara Final behind the star Rickie Alchin trained and reined Lux Aeterna.

Lux Aeterna was conceived and reared locally by Brooklyn Lodge Stud and now remains unbeaten from four starts.

For complete race results, click here.

by Michael Dumesny, for HRNSW