FOR a driver who has proved herself to be one of the best in NSW, it might be a little odd for Amanda Turnbull to express relief after a victory.
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But that was the feeling which accompanied her delight after taking out the Group 3 Bathurst Gold Chalice Final on Saturday night with Mighty Gift.
Turnbull has enjoyed plenty of success since first sitting in the gig and she had found joy in Group races before Saturday, but never before had she been able to win one of the major events of the annual Bathurst Gold Crown Carnival.
Mighty Gift’s effort in the three-year-old colts and geldings decider bettered her previous carnival highlight, a Bathurst Mayors Cup win with My Dandy last year.
“I needed that win,” she said.
“I have won cups before and consolations, but never one of the main four.”
Before the first stride was even taken in the 2,130 metre final at the Bathurst Paceway, Turnbull had made the first move of her Gold Chalice success story. Her father, The Lagoon trainer Steve Turnbull, had qualified Mighty Gift, Written In Red and Lagoon Stride for the final.
Amanda had driven all three in the heats, but in the end opted to sit behind the Bettors Delight x Gift Of Love colt who had drawn barrier seven.
“It was a hard decision when we got the three in which one I should drive because they all drew bad, it was a pretty hard and tough decision, but I chose the right one,” she said.
“I picked him because he drew the front, that was the only reason, because there is nothing between all three of them really.”
Her sentiment was correct as members of the Radiant Lodge team filled three of the top four places. Steve picked up second with Lagoon Stride ($32.20) while Written In Red ($24.10) placed fourth with Nathan Jack in the gig.
It was an early speed battle that paved the platform for the local success story as $2.20 favourite Iam Mr Brightside and $3.20 second elect Lettucerockthem clocked a blistering 35.1 seconds lead time.
Amanda Turnbull watched the two favourites go hard, Iam Mr Brightside holding on to lead, and simply waited for a chance she knew would come.
After a 28.9 seconds third sectional both Iam Mr Brightside and Lettucerockthem were spent, but Mighty Gift had enjoyed an easier run and led into the straight.
Though the chasing pack came back at Mighty Gift and threatened to spoil Turnbull’s race, the local chance found something in reserve to land the biggest win of his career.
He clocked a 1:59.9 mile rate to finish 51⁄2m clear of stablemate Lagoon Stride with third belonging to Mister Jay Cee ($5.50).
“I was hoping for that speed and I was able to get into the race then because my fellah isn’t overly quick,” Turnbull said.
“I couldn’t get him to kick away, but once he heard them coming he kicked on and he won it pretty easily actually.
“He’s just keeps getting better and better. He’s always been pretty tough, but he hasn’t got that speed.”
Mighty Gift’s record now stands at seven wins from 18 starts and part-owner Douglas Johnston could not have been happier.
“It’s a great privilege to win this race here tonight. I’m just a little old dairy farmer from Taree and so often you see these races won by the big, rich millionaire people,” he said. “So I am just over the moon.”
