SHE may have missed out in the feature PJ Hall Memorial, but Amanda Turnbull still managed to pick up a win in exciting fashion at Penrith on Thursday night.
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In the memorial Turnbull drove for her The Lagoon father-trainer Steve Turnbull, but $5 chance Ring The Till tired badly after working three-wide early to finish well off the the pace.
However, it was a very different story in the Presidents Cup (1,720 metres) when a member of her own team in What A Curtainraiser fought hard all the way to the line.
A five-year-old mare by Tintin In America out of Next Live Show, What A Curtainraiser ($5.10) was first up at Penrith, but had won three trials in the lead up.
Once the green light was given she was guided wide early from barrier six in search of the lead.
Turnbull found it, eventually crossing Warana Court, but as the field turned for home her runner was challenged by Wardan Express.
The $1.40 favourite worked forward on the outside, poked its nose in front through the bend and had the lead into the straight, but What A Curtainraiser responded.
“It’s a two horse race … What A Curtainraiser lifts off the canvas,” race caller Fred Hastings exclaimed.
What A Curtainraiser lifted over the last 100m and went on to win by a head in a 1:57.5 mile rate, having clocked sectionals of 28.9, 31.6, 29.3 and 28.5 seconds.
Third-placed Warana Court ($41.20) was a further 6.4m back.