TOP trainer-driver Steve Turnbull took three runners to Temora's Carnival of Cups meeting on Saturday night, but it was his $41 catch-drive that proved the triumphant one.
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It was the second of his drives, on David Micallef's Kettering Girl, which delivered the biggest surprise of the meeting.
Initially going forward off the arm, Turnbull then had to restrain to a position, landing near last in the eight-horse field.
Kettering Girl commenced her run down the back straight on the half-mile track, with Turnbull hoping the six-year-old would keep going.
"It was the first time I had driven her so I didn't know much about her," Turnbull said.
"They told me she wasn't very tough so I was looking for inside gaps but none came. She was feeling really strong so I pulled her out and went for home."
Unlike his first drive of the night when chasing on short priced favourite Smooth Cash, Turnbull was able to run the leader down, winning by 2.1 metres.
"There was a horse outside of her the whole time racing her, so I think that helped," Turnbull said.
"Turning into the straight I looked up and saw that the leader was slowing down and I was still travelling well. She kept going and was too good."
Earlier in the meeting Turnbull was expected by punters to land the win on $1.75 favourite Smooth Cash, who he also trains.
Beginning from two on the second line, Smooth Cash ended up in the one-out-one-back position, but with a runaway leader Turnbull had to settle for second place.
"I was happy with Cash first up, he'll improve from that run," he said.
Of the rest, Turnbull's Mac Stubborn ran fourth having to overcome the wide barrier draw with Temora Cup runner Art Series never getting into the race.
Ending up last in the running, the 2018 Group 3 Breeders Challenge 3YO Fillies Final and Group 2 Gold Bracelet Final winner had too much ground to make up.
"They ran a slow first half and got home pretty quickly," Turnbull said.
"By the time I started my run they had already put the foot down."