AMANDA Turnbull further added to her status as the most successful driver in the history of the Bathurst RSL Club Soldiers Saddle when guiding Eliza Dushku to an impressive victory on Friday night.
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The gutsy four-year-old mare placed third in her heat then fifth in the semi-final to earn a spot in the $15,900 final, where she drew the tricky barrier five.
Turnbull drove her for speed once the green light was given, found the lead and there Eliza Dushku ($8.50) stayed, holding off a late challenge from Sonny Studleigh ($56.10).
There was only a half neck between them as they hit the line.
It added to Turnbull’s three prior wins in the annual feature – having won with Happy To Go (2015), Mavrick (2012) and Avonnova (2010) in the past.
“She sort of enjoys it more when they’re up there attacking her,” the trainer-driver said.
Attack her they did. A line of four battled for the lead with Might And Main, Presidential Dude and Double Encounter all beginning well on the inside of Turnbull’s mare.
But Eliza Duskhu had enough speed to cross and take up the lead 1½ lengths off the front.
Hez All Courage soon rolled up on the outside of the leader, but was quickly shuffled back as Sonny Studleigh punched forward.
With a lap to go $3.40 favourite Redbelly Jack – a most impressive winner in his heat and semi-final final – had joined that pair at the front.
However, he had to work three wide from a barrier 13 draw before taking over in the death seat and it was an effort which told in the end.
With 650m to go Redbelly Jack was eye-balling Eliza Dushku, the pair coming off the back after a hot 27 seconds third quarter.
Into the straight Redbelly Jack continued to challenge, Might And Main ducked into the sprint lane, while Sonny Studleigh was making a three wide charge for Jake Davis.
But Eliza Dushku kicked one final time and was able to win over Sonny Studleigh in a career best 1:54.1 mile rate. Redbelly Jack was a further 4¾m back in third.
It was the eighth win of the Bettors Delight x Bizzie Girl mare’s 27-start career and best since she took out the Group 2 Pink Bonnet on debut.
“Tonight was a really good run, it was an exceptional run. Redbelly Jack was going to be hard to beat and he certainly dished it up to us for sure,” Eliza Dushku’s part owner Jenny Turnbull said.
“I was worried there for a moment, you look and think ‘Oh no he’s coming’ but she just found another gear, she dug in a little bit deeper.”
