Turpin trio not fazed by gate draws

Chantal Turpin will launch a three-pronged attack on tomorrow night’s Group 2 Garrards South East Derby at Albion Park, but will need a slice of luck after Wednesday’s gate draw.

Not surprisingly, Grant Dixon’s Group 1 superstar, Governor Jujon (5), has opened a short-priced $1.30 favourite, a justified price for a horse unbeaten this campaign, and three second placings the only blemishes on his otherwise flawless record.

Turpin’s trio in Miss Ruby Sunshine (9), Blacksadance (10) and Will The Wizard (12) all drew the second row in Saturday night’s feature race, however, the trainer isn’t fazed by her luckless starting positions.

“We were probably a bit disappointed, we would’ve liked to have got one drawn up the front but that’s what we’ve been dealt with and we’ll deal with it,” Turpin said.

“Governor Jujon is a really good horse, and he’s drawn the front line which obviously helps him as well so I think that’s going to be very tough to overcome – as I said, he’s a very good horse.”

Miss Ruby Sunshine holds a special place in Turpin’s heart, claiming the trainer’s 900th win in March of this year.

The three-year-old filly has claimed six wins from just 17 starts and backs up again this week after running second behind Jenden Strike during last week’s Group 2 South East Oaks.

“She probably has the better draw out of our three, and hopefully she can get a good trail through,” Turpin said.

“I don’t think the quick back-up will affect her much at all, she’s been really good throughout the week and it looks like that run didn’t take much out of her.

“Pete (McMullen) got the pick of the drives this week and he always drives Blacksadance and I actually normally drive Will The Wizard but I’ve opted for the filly – the girls stick together!” 

Blacksadance will be gunning for his seventh career win with Turpin’s husband Peter McMullen in the seat, and comes into Saturday’s race a last-start winner at Albion Park a week ago.

More encouraging is a second placing behind the race favourite on May 16 of this year, going down by a mere one-and-a-half metres in what will provide Turpin with plenty of optimism.

“I think if he was drawn a bit better then he would go really close to the favourite on the basis of that form, but I think the draw makes it hard,” Turpin said.

“He just keeps improving and getting better every time he goes around; the draw does hurt but other than that he is going great.”

Like his stablemates, Will The Wizard has enjoyed a really consistent season thus far, winning three and placing another five times from 10 starts.

“He is a tricky horse and that’s probably why I’ve opted to drive the filly,” Turpin said.

“He’s good when he draws the front and can just bowl along but the second row does make it harder for his racing style.

“Like the other two, he’s going really well so hopefully he can put his best foot forward and do us proud on the night.”

Outside of Governor Jujon, Jenden Strike will take her place in the race on the quick back-up as a $10 second-favourite.

The father-son combination of Chris and Anthony Frisby are hoping their star filly will become the first girl to complete the South East double.

Another Grant Dixon-trained chance in Fond Memories – also $10 on the TAB – is among the other hopes in the TAB market to take down the hot favourite.

Andrew Adermann

for Racing Queensland