There were few happier winners on Saturday night than Mitch Turnbull when he saluted with Camelot Speedstar at Dubbo Harness Racing Club.
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Trained by his father Steve, Camelot Speedstar had showed plenty of promise in 14 starts since making the move to Bathurst but had been unable to break through for the win.
The long-awaited victory came on Saturday and Mitch Turnbull saluted the crowd after passing the post in the Dubbo RSL Club Final (2,120 metres).
“Very excited. I thought that was a hard race but on the line when I lobbed that one in front I was over the moon,” a thrilled Turnbull said after the win.
“Especially on a big night like this. There’s a big crowd and the weather’s perfect so it’s all fantastic.”
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With Steve in Menangle on Saturday night, Mitch was left to do the work for the team and he finished the night with two winners for his father.
After Grosestar won earlier in the night, Camelot Speedstar took centre stage.
After going from gate 11, Turnbull sat at the very back of the field while Our Pocketrocket ($18) set a steady pace up front.
The order barely changed until the field got the bell for home and while Our Pocketrocket continued to lead from Needitwantitdoit ($31) and Smiling Sam ($2.70), the $2 favourite Shadow Dealer moved up around the outside.
Camelot Speedstar ($11) was able to avoid some drama which caused a galloping The Rebel King ($41) and a number of others drop out of contention and then Turnbull was able to tack on to the back of Shadow Dealer.
He peeled wider in the straight and came home over the top of Shadow Dealer while Smiling Sam was third.
“She just needs a bit of luck and she had the perfect bit of luck tonight. Halfway down the straight she knew she was a chance and fought for home,” Turnbull said.
“I could have pulled out wider (at the turn for home) but I thought I’d just sit on this one’s (Shadow Dealer’s) back and it carted me into the straight so it all worked out perfect.”
Camelot Speedstar qualified for the final after running third in his heat earlier in the month. He had been beaten by both Shadow Dealer and Our Pocketrocket that day.
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The win was the gelding third in 48 starts but first since linking with Turnbull.
While it wasn’t a victory for Shadow Dealer, the second-placed finish ensured his impressive record stayed intact.
Trained by Wayne Gray, Shadow Dealer has only missed the placings once in 16 career starts. He’s recorded six wins in that time.
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Nick Guthrie
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
I started working at the Daily Liberal in 2013 and now hold the position of senior journalist. I cover all that's happening in sport in Dubbo and the wider western area and have a passion for doing so. If you've got a story that needs telling, reach out.
