With a record of four wins and three placings from 11 starts it appears all is going swimmingly for Amanda Turnbull and Tact Bess.
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That is not exactly the case though with plenty of work done and more needed to ensure the mare can reach her potential.
Tact Bess scored a strong win in the opening event of the night at Dubbo Harness Club on Wednesday, proving her class in the Radio 2DU/Zoo FM Pace (2120m).
"She had a bit on them but I was just hoping her racing manners would be a little bit better. She pulled a bit too hard," Turnbull said after the win.
"She hasn't had many starts but it's just trying to educate her and get her going. She's got the ability, she's just a bit of hard work."
The only real question around Tact Bess heading into the event was whether her head would be right.
Her record and talent saw her start a red-hot $1.12 favourite in the $7140 event and she went on to justify that status in a promising showing.
There was some early worries in the race as the Nathan Hurst-trained Tulhurst Lover ($21) broke into a gallop and ruffled a few feathers, but Turnbull was able to avoid that.
After starting from deep in the field after going from gate nine, it didn't take Turnbull long to skirt the field and take control.
The leading trainer-driver felt Tact Bess' ability not to get distracted by the galloping was the latest sign she is maturing.
"I was lucky to get through that actually because she wouldn't have before," she said.
"Once she got to the front my only worry was how hard she was going to pull.
"Last season you would have never brought her to a place like Dubbo. She was quite bad then but she's getting better. She just needs to relax a little."
Tact Bess' over-eagerness was no real issue as Turnbull calmly stayed in front and then kicked clear at the top of the back straight on the bell lap.
She went on to win by a comfortable 13.4m in a mile rate of 1:59:8.
"If we can get her down to Menangle and get a sit she is very fast but we've just got to teach her that first," Turnbull said.
The victorious trainer-driver added there is no specific plan with the five-year-old, with this preparation all about building confidence.
Dubbo has so often been a track dominated by the Turnbull family but the win with Tact Bess was Amanda's only success from three drives on Wednesday night.
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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.
