Chasing sentimental feature win

CHAMPION horseman Steve Turnbull is hoping to break a drought from the winners’ circle of a very special race tonight.

Although the feature has been part of the Bathurst calendar since 1954, it was renamed in honour of Turnbull’s mother, Shirley, in 1988.

Since then a member of the famous clan has won the event on 12 occasions.

Turnbull captured the inaugural edition with Cocky Brother, before Tony, Greg, Craig, Jason and Amanda etched their names onto the honour roll.

Turnbull registered the last family win when triumphant with Slick Bromac in 2009.

“It is a race I aim to have a runner in each year,” Turnbull said. “It’s not an easy race to win though as they come from everywhere for the good prizemoney.

“It’s been a while since we had a win it, so hopefully that will change this year, but we will need a lot of luck given the class of the field.”

Turnbull will be represented by Smooth Baht and Myra Dawn, with the pair drawn awkwardly.

To be driven by Turnbull’s daughter, Amanda, Smooth Baht will come from barrier seven, with Myra Dawn drawn the inside of the back row with Turnbull’s son Mitch holding the reins.

Smooth Baht is midfield at $11 with TAB Fixed Odds, while Myra Dawn is among the outsiders at $41.

“They both go into tonight with good form, but this is a rise in class,” Turnbull said. “Plus the draws aren’t exactly ideal.

“We’ll need luck, but if either of them get it, they could cause an upset.”