3 minute read
Amanda Turner heads to Goulburn on Monday looking for more of the same currency in results she has found in her most recent visits to the tablelands.
From her last nine runners at Goulburn, Amanda Turner has notched two wins and two seconds. One of those seconds could easily have been a 'third major' - a protest on the final result having to be decided in the stewards' room.
One of Turner's most interesting runners is No Impediment ($2.40 favourite on TAB).
The five-year-old has cobbled up a smart resume from just five starts, including a debut win at the Goulburn track. Turner says the wait has been worth it.
" Yes, he is a late starter and had two throat operations as a young horse. That is why he has taken a longer timer to excel," Turner explained.
"It's nice to have his first start at five years of age after all the work, and it ended up being a win! Lots of years and lots of time and effort has gone into this horse. It was very rewarding."
The horse won a recent Rosehill trial in good fashion and kicks off his second campaign in Race 3, the David Alt Electrical Benchmark 66 Handicap over 1000m.
Turner says Mr Resilient ($15) is a different proposition, still trying to win his maiden after 15 starts (Race 1-Waterwise Consulting Maiden Plate 1500m).
"Unfortunately have tried everything. He didn't get around the track at Gosford last week so I have just freshened him up. He ran fourth the start before here."
Turner also has A Touch of Luck ($26) engaged in Race 5, The Douglass Blinds & Screens Class 3 Hcp over 1500m. Turner says he too has had to overcome injury issues and raced without luck first-up.
"His first (up) start felt like a barrier trial. I'm happy with him and looking forward to him running again. He's a really nice horse but has just taken such a long time through injuries."
The horse has previously won twice second up and the in-form Keagan Latham takes the reins on Monday. Latham will be keen to continue his own 'touch of luck' at Goulburn having ridden a winning treble at the most recent tablelands meeting.
Turner also turns out her stable warrior Art Of Excellence ($7.50) in Race 6, the Doyle's Seafood Restaurant B66 Hcp over 1200m. With a win and a close-up top four result since resuming, the old boy is flying this prep. His trainer isn't too concerned about the handicapper's heavy hand.
" A little bit concerned, but not overly. He has won with a quite a bit of weight before and loves the track."
Turner also has Kathy O'Hara engaged which she thinks is a real plus: "Kathy loves the horse and has ridden him a few times. He could possibly go hard, hence the reason a senior rider."
Turner and O'Hara combine on two of the trainer's four acceptors on Monday. It's a tried and tested combination at the tablelands circuit that has netted plenty of productive results in recent years. The trainer says O'Hara's influence on the stable can't be undervalued.
"Kathy has been fantastic and it also makes a difference that she rides her own equestrian horses and has such a feel for horses, she seems to like my horses and they like her. She is doing a super job for the stable!"
Goulburn's track is currently rated a Soft 7 with dry weather forecast over the weekend and on raceday. The seven-race card commences at 12.30pm.
