On Tuesday night, Peter Trevor-Jones will see his gelding take to the track for the 165^th time and the second time in the Shirley Turnbull Memorial Pace, at the Bathurst Paceway. 

His last start in the memorial, in 2015, resulted in a third place finish but Trevor-Jones said he will be happy if John O’Shea drives Beetson into the top five.

“It’s a pretty tough race. I’m quite happy with him anyway. It might turn out alright,” he said.

“He’s best chance is probably to run behind them. 

“We’ll need a bit of luck but if he can finish in the top five I’ll be tickled pink.”

Trevor-Jones said Beetson is still keen as he was when he starting racing as a two-year-old, when he won the Gold Crown in 2010. 

“He’s an enthusiastic track worker and he’s loving it,” 

“He’s been going really well but Tuesday is just an extremely good race.

“He hasn’t lost much in his good ability. He ran a good third in his last start in Menangle. 

“He’s hitting the line solidly every race. The distance will suit him but they’re some classy horses in there that are probably in their way up a bit younger than him.”

“I’m happy to still have him racing with the career he’s had. Not many race from two from to 10.”

“He’ll tell me [when he’s ready to retire]. He’s still loving it. He’s still working as enthusiastically as ever, actually too enthusiastically. He carries on like a young horse. 

From Saloon Passage, to Charlaval and Blazin N Cullen, Tuesday’s Shirley Turnbull Memorial is stacked with quality pacers.

However, there’s one pacer that stands out above the rest.

And if you have made $1,630,076 from 80-race career then you deserve to be a $1.70 favourite. 

“Bling It On is the obvious one,” Trevor-Jones said. 

“He’s a pretty serious horse but he’s got a tough draw. That might even it up a bit. The higher grade ones have drawn a bit worse.”

Trevor-Jones said it’s a great honour to be a part of this year’s memorial race. 

“They’re obviously a very famous family in the region. It’s great that they’ve built that race up to be so prestigious,” he said. 

“It kind of goes from strength to strength. It’s held in high regard.

“I thought I’d nominate [Beetson] but I knew it would be a tough race. I just wanted to be a part of it.

“It’s not a bad draw but hopefully we can get a good run along there. Of course you you need a bit of luck running from the inside, in the second row.

“Like I said, as long he finishes in the top five, I’ll be very happy.”