Turnbull gives himself a crack at the Crown

IT is well documented how legendary Bathurst horseman Steve Turnbull has scaled the greatest heights in his glittering career in harness racing.

Turnbull has won some of Australia’s biggest races and last year achieved a rare feat by bringing up 4000 winners as a trainer.

But there is one race that he has a burning desire to win – and that’s the Gold Crown on his home soil at Bathurst.

Turnbull has, in past years, qualified horses for the Group 1 juvenile final and gone close to winning it a few times.

On Friday night at Bathurst he was able to give himself another crack at conquering the Crown after the aptly-named Misterfourthousand (Warrawee Needy) was able to win the third heat of the two-year-old feature with his son Mitch in the gig.

Misterfourthousand is an imposing type by Canadian sire Warrawee Needy and is raced by the Turnbull family’s Radiant Lodge syndicate, which purchased the gelding from his breeder Luke Micallef from Young.

“He is a progressive horse that has won two from two now,” said Steve. 

“He had shown us that he possessed plenty of ability from the outset and it is great that he is starting to fulfil those expectations.”

This afternoon’s barrier draw for Friday night’s Gold Crown final will obviously be crucial for all finalists, and Turnbull is hoping luck will be on his side for Misterfourthousand to come up with a favourable draw.

“Barriers draws are very important in any race, but especially in these races for the babies,” said Turnbull.

“If we draw well, I think he has a great chance of winning the Crown.

“Rickie Alchin’s horse, Soho Spectre, does look to be the one to beat judging by his early efforts but most of the other heats winners looked impressive, which makes for an enthralling final.”

The rich carnival continues at Bathurst this afternoon when the three-year-olds contest heats of both the Gold Chalice for colts and geldings and the Gold Bracelet for fillies.

The top seed for the Chalice is recent New South Wales Derby winner Better Be The Best who is trained by Nathan Turnbull, who also drives the colt.

Victorian trainer Emma Stewart has two of the better fillies engaged in the Bracelet heats with Major Delight and Tempting Temptress boasting strong form heading into the series.