Chance to emulate legendary father
A SOLID draw has bolstered Better Be The Best’s chances of joining some elite company this weekend.
By capturing the Paleface Adios Stake at Club Menangle last week, Better Be The Best earned a berth in Saturday night’s Chariots Of Fire.
Australasia’s premier four-year-old event, the $250,000 major has assembled a stellar field, with Better Be The Best among the leading chances at $9 with TAB Fixed Odds.
Kiwi raider, Dont Stop Dreaming, heads the market at $1.90 from barrier two.
Victory in the Group One will see the Nathan Turnbull-trained son of Shoobees Place become just the fifth campaigner to complete the New South Wales Derby/Chariots Of Fire double.
Franco Hat Trick was the ground breaker in 1997 and ’98, followed by Holmes DG in ‘98 and ’99 , Elsu in 2003 and ’04 and Poster Boy in 2018 and ’19.
The two events have been run simultaneously since the Chariots Of Fire’s introduction to the racing calendar in 1995.
As stated earlier, Better Be The Best’s prospects of joining the past stars was aided by drawing barrier three.
SMOOTH SATIN
“That’s not a bad draw,” Turnbull said. “It could certainly be worse.
“It puts him right in the middle of the action and we’ll be looking to make the most of it.
“I’ll be going forward and going as hard as I can for as long as I can.”
With the Chariots winner afforded entry into the Miracle Mile, Turnbull stated “there is no doubt he will go in the Mile if he gets straight in.”
The southern hemisphere’s ultimate speed test, the $1million Garrards-sponsored event is scheduled to be run at Club Menangle on March 9.
Turnbull’s legendary father, Steve, prepared Smooth Satin to win the Chariots Of Fire and Miracle Mile in 2001.
Turnbull’s grandfather Tony – also an industry legend – won the 1974 Miracle Mile with champion pacer, Hondo Grattan.
“There is a bit of family history in those races and it would be amazing to see my name on the honour roll with them,” Turnbull said.
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