AMANDA Turnbull may have just found herself another superstar in the making.
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
The expectation levels were through the roof for Turnbull New Zealand import Bundoran and the Lincoln Royal four-year-old didn't disappoint on Wednesday as he appeared to be cruising in the opening Star Trek Heat (1,730 metres) at Bathurst Paceway.
Turnbull didn't have to ask for too much of Bundoran ($1.12) as he flew home over a back half of 56 seconds to record a 1:55.0 mile rate.
Enk Spot Shannon ($7, Travis Bullock) and Ideologist ($19, Mitch Turnbull) were left to fight it out for second a further 12 metres behind the winner, while Lucky Lyla ($51, Phoebe Betts) and Blaze Edition ($151, Wade Judd) dead heated for fourth to secure their places in the final.
Bundoran's recent trial victory was more than enough to convince punters that he would bring his red hot form across the ditch, and there could be a big future in store following the Star Trek series.
Turnbull said all signs are positive for the gelding both on and off the racetrack.
"His trackwork has been really good and his form in New Zealand was really good too. He'd been racing against good horses over there. We had a very high opinion of him," she said.
"We just noticed him over in those good races and we really liked how he went so we rang them up to see what we could arrange.
"It's good timing for him because after this series he can go in something like the Chariots heats.
"His racing manners are great. He'll let you back off and you're still able to sprint home."
The speed was on early before Bundoran took control.
Blaze Edition and Ideologist flew out of the gates and briefly gapped the field in their fight for the lead.
Ideologist crossed to take the lead before Bundoran worked forward from his wide start to have the lead at the bell.
The first quarter came out as a brisk 27.3 but the follow up second quarter from Bundoran was a more leisurely 32.3.
The breather in front meant it was going to take a turn of foot like no other to catch Turnbull's classy pacer.
That class simply wasn't there as Bundoran made a statement on his Australian debut.
It was a winning double in the Star Trek heats for Turnbull after Allset ($1.60 favourite) saw off the challenge from stablemate Wattlebank Lass ($2.50, Isobel Ross).
Keayang Kreuzer ($17, Gemma Hewitt) was close by in third. Arty Pharty ($34, Mitch Turnbull) and Turbo Tommy ($81, Jake Davis) also progressed through to the final.