Ellmers Image, who missed out on qualifying for the grand final, started from barrier one as race favourite ($2.40), with Turnbull driving the horse she trains to a neck-length victory over Village Witch ($7.70).

It was a terrific drive from Turnbull, who found herself in several awkward positions throughout the race.

“He had a good draw and I did think he’d get crossed,” she said.

“He actually worked harder out of the gate then I thought he would. 

“When he got out coming down the back, it did work out well for him. It sort of opened up a bit.” 

While starting from the preferable barrier one position, Ellmers Image quickly fell down the pecking order and was three back down the inside with two laps to go.

With one lap to go, the five-year-old bay gelding was still stuck three back in the inside, with plenty to do in the final lap.

In the back straight, Turnbull made her move, dropping Ellmers Image back and then working him around the outside horses to find space. 

Coming down the home straight, it was a battle between Ellmers Image and Village Witch, with the Turnbull-driven horse doing enough to finish just ahead of his rival. 

It was the New Zealand-bred gelding’s 12^th career win, in 47 starts.

While Ellmers Image may have missed out on making the Inter Dominion Pacing Championship Grand Final, Turnbull said she was pleased with our her horse went throughout the series.

“It’s his first time racing that much,” she said.

“We’ve normally spaced his runs out, so it was good test for him and he handled it pretty well.”

Ellmers Image is now headed to the paddock, as Turnbull plans to freshen up the gelding, before returning to racing in late February. 

Turnbull also drove Conviction to a win in the Hylands Harness Colours Free For All (Group 3, 2240 metres), for her father Steve.