Family chasing emotional victory

CHAMPION horseman Steve Turnbull is hoping to add to the family’s strong record in a very special race on Thursday night.

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 13 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’s win when triumphant with Smooth Baht in 2023.

“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 few years since we won 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 Cassius Deck, Smooth Buzz and Hez Chiming, with the trio drawn three, four and six.

Overall, the tribe has seven members battling for glory, with Turnbull joined by Mitch, Josh, Nathan, Amanda, Will and Jett.

Mitch will drive Smooth Buzz, Will take the reins behind Cassius Deck, Josh trains Better Sush, Nathan will train and drive Our George Boston, Amanda trains and will drive Donegal Luther, while Jett will partner the Nathan-trained Jorge Street.

“All three go into it with solid form, especially Hez Chiming which has won his last two, but this is a rise in class,” Turnbull said. “The front row is pretty even, but the two on the back, Captains Knock, which is flying, and Swayzee are a class above.

“Smooth Buzz ran second behind Swayzee in it last year, so it would be amazing if he went one better.

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