LEIGH Davis is certainly no fan of Manly, but come Wednesday night he'd be delighted to see Turbo Tommy carve up his rivals.
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Turbo Tommy, who was named after star Manly fullback Tom Trbojevic, will carry the hopes of the Davis stables in this year's edition of the Bathurst Harness Racing Club's Star Trek series.
Should the four-year-old gelding perform well in his 1,730 metres heat, he'll progress to the $15,000 final. So while you won't see Davis cheering for the Sea Eagles, he'll be crossing his fingers for Turbo Tommy.
Turbo Tommy has not won since saluting at the Bathurst Paceway in October last year, but in the nine starts he's had since, he's placed in the top three six times.
"He's a real honest little fella, he's thereabouts, it don't matter what you put him in, he just needs a little bit of luck with the draws. There's always a bit of luck you need," the Browns Creek trainer said.
"We'll be doing our best, his last run at Dubbo he pulled a flat tyre so you've got to cancel that one out. He was actually unlucky not to win the Golden Gig Final too, he never got a clear run in that race."
The last time Davis targeted a spot in the Star Trek Final was in 2017, but his two runners on that occasion were long shots who did not advance. Sonny Studleigh placed sixth in his heat as a $180.10 chance and Studleigh Kristen seventh in hers as a rank $133.90 outsider.
While Turbo Tommy will undoubtedly be at shorter odds, it is two runners from Amanda Turnbull's team in Wattlebank Lass and Allset that look the favourites.
Allset, a daughter of Kiwi star Elsu, has won two of her four career starts while Wattlebank Lass has notched up two wins, a second and a third since joining Turnbull's team.
They will both start outside Turbo Tommy, who has drawn barrier four. From there the Art Major x Our Keepsake gelding will need luck, but if he gets clear and is within striking distance when they turn for home then he can threaten.
"It's not probably the strongest race, but Amanda has got a pretty good one in it, she's always hard to beat," Davis said.
"It's not a big field so that will help him a little bit, but he didn't draw too well. But anyway, he can only do his best, you've got to be in them to win them.
"He likes to have a sit and come with one hit at them usually."
Jake Davis will do the driving for his father-trainer and will give Turbo Tommy every chance.
"He always puts in a good drive does Jake, he's a bit of a thinker. He's always been a footballer and I think it comes through in any sport, it shows if you're a good sportsman," the trainer said.
The heats will go at 6.33pm and 7.33pm.