Turnbull quick to find form in Tassie raid

Victorian horseman Craig Turnbull had some mixed luck to kick off his latest Tasmanian harness racing campaign at the weekend – but looks to be well on track for his main mission in 10 days’ time.

Tatura-based Turnbull and his wife Bec Cartwright tasted success at their only previous Tasmanian campaign when Hiranya (Bettors Delight) won the Group 3 Tasmanian Derby in 2022.

This time, they’re targeting maiden pacer Okanui Beach (Downbytheseaside) at the Tasbred 2yo sires feature the $60,000 Gr 3 Dandy Patch on November 2.

Okanui Beach, driven by the couple’s daughter Abbey, finished a luckless but eye-catching fourth in the Dandy Patch Prelude at Hobart on Friday night. To watch the race replay, click here.

But Turnbull had some consolation a few days later with a victory in a heat of the Australian Female Driver’s Championship at Launceston on Sunday night (Oct 20). The win by Binalong Week (Always B Miki) secured victory in the championship for WA reinswoman Deni Roberts.

Okanui Beach, raced by successful NSW breeder-owner Doug Johnston, was caught wide early in the prelude before being pocketed and then striking interference and galloping in the final stages. But he still finished strongly to run fourth, beaten less than nine metres.

“It was a tough watch,” Turnbull admitted.

“His main trouble so far has been getting him to settle and we thought the trip away would do him good for that reason.  Finally, he settled well the other night, but nothing else really went right,” he said.

“There were positives though.  He’s pulled up really well and travelled really well.  He is definitely going to be a nice horse and hopefully this will be the making of him.”

Turnbull is stabled at the property of Mick Maxwell at Devonport for his three-week campaign.

“I’ve only got three horses down here with me, so it is a bit of a holiday for me – when Bec suggested it I didn’t really have to be asked twice!” Turnbull said.

“It was Mick who actually bred Okanui Beach, so we’ve cheated a bit by bringing him back to where he was born. He’s been really relaxed and I’m able to take him for long walks and just do a bit more with him.

“I’m rapt because he’s always been tough work at the races but on Friday night he seemed to have changed his ways a little bit and that’s another real positive.”

The win by Binalong Week in the female driver’s championship heat was the pacer’s third successive victory.

“He is a very impressive horse but he’s had a lot of leg issues which, touch wood, seem okay at the moment,” Turnbull said.

“He’s going well and I decided to bring him along to Tassie to keep an eye on him, and while I will have some time to spend on him. He’s still learning the ropes and he’s pretty green so the trip won’t hurt him either.

“The other one I’ve brought is Bet Sheza Lady (Art Major) who’s just my little ‘roadie’ – wherever the truck’s going, she’s on it!  She’s always thereabouts and pops up here and there.”

Bet Sheza Lady finished half-head runner-up at her first outing in Hobart on Friday night behind Ranieri (Wayne Yole – Tiarna Ford) in the Fehlberg’s Produce Sprintlane Pace.

Bec and Abbey and staffer Maddie Ray are managing the stable at home in Tatura.

“Things are a little bit quieter there at the moment with only about six or eight in work,” Turnbull said.

“We turned out some two-year-olds who needed a break, and we’ve had a few older horses sent interstate after the news about the stakes (cuts) in Victoria, but there are plenty waiting to come back in once I get home.”

by Terry Gange, for Harnesslink