Now fellow Bathurst trainer Craig Frisby and his son Anthony, in the driver’s seat, are aiming to emulate that special moment this Saturday when Our Uncle Sam takes to the track at Melton for the 2018 Group 1 finale.

Odds are against the Frisby gelding from taking the top prize but after a close runner-up finish behind leading chance Tiger Tara in the closing heat he showed his credentials.

Being a part of finals night is a feeling Turnbull cherishes, a sensation that never dwindles as the years go by. 

Turnbull said both he and Frisby have been lapping up the Inter Dominion atmosphere.

“We’re both staying at my brother Craig’s and we’ve had a really great time here,” he said.

“I said to Chris ‘This is your moment, enjoy it’. His horse has been going enormous. The three runs have all been fantastic. He’s a lovely little horse.”

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The back row start leaves Our Uncle Sam needing the frontrunners to work overtime.

“He’ll still have to have a lot of luck but if he’s up there around the turn and hasn’t done a lot of work and there’s been a bit of speed on then they’ll know he’s in it,” Turnbull said.

“In saying that there’s three or four really nice horses in it. He did prove he can mix it with them with the way he ran home the other night.”

Smooth Satin was a champion in his own right but had to overcome a top notch field to claim his 2002 Inter Dominion victory.

Among the field that night was 2000 Inter Dominion winner Shakamaker, Australia and Victoria derby champion Courage Under Fire plus Victoria Cup and future Inter Dom winner Jofess.

Our Uncle Sam has similar formidable opponents to take down.

New Zealand Sires Stakes Final winner Spankem, Victoria Cup champ Tiger Tara and recent Woodlands Free For All winner Cruz Bromac are among the battle for favouritism.