PACING
Subscribe now for unlimited access.
$0/
(min cost $0)
or signup to continue reading
DESPITE a less than ideal draw, if you ask Bathurst trainer-driver Steve Turnbull there is absolutely no reason his charge I’m Blue Double Dee can’t claim a second consecutive Kent’s H Hardware - Banjo Paterson Cup (2260m) on Sunday.
Turnbull and I’m Blue Double Dee claimed last year’s Banjo Paterson Cup easily at Highlands Paceway, but with Orange Harness Racing Club (OHRC) moving this year’s meet to Bathurst the duo faces far stiffer competition thanks to increased nominations.
Where Turnbull only had seven others to beat in 2015, he has 12 to trump this year.
Turnbull will steer the big grey from the second row in the feature race of OHRC’s Carnival of Cups meet, but is pretty confident based on his recent form.
“He’s back to some real form now, he’s chasing really well,” Turnbull said.
“He got a good win over in Junee not long ago, and hopefully we can have a similar run on Sunday.”
I’m Blue Double Dee claimed an easy victory in the Allan Harpley Memorial in Junee at the back end of last month although it’s last win prior to that was this race in 2015.
In Junee Amanda Turnbull positioned I’m Blue Double Dee beautifully in the one-one for the better part of the race and despite the threat of being boxed in during the latter stages she found a route to the outside and stormed home in the final 400m to win easily.
“They went out pretty hard from the start in that race in Junee,” Steve Turnbull said.
“Hopefully we get a similar run, although we’ll have to just wait and see how much work he has to do.
On form, I’m Blue Double Dee’s biggest obstacles look to be fellow Bathurst trainer Nathan Hurst’s Saloon Passage and Sydney trainer Richard Baverstock’s Mister Jay Cee, although Turnbull said in this kind of race every other runner poses a threat.
“(This tough a field) is a always a worry,” he said.
“They wouldn’t be running if they weren’t good horses.”
Of the Orange region trainers, Spring Hill’s Kel Winnell has Gunna Kaleid and Dugan running in the first and fourth races respectively, while Brown’s Creek’s Leigh Davis has Tayleigh Studleigh in the second - the latter is coming off a win in Bathurst last week.
