Highly sought-after draw not so good!

TRADITIONALLY having a horse race twice in a week and drawing the pole on both occasions would be a welcome scenario.

As far as Nathan Turnbull is concerned, the starting position couldn’t be much worse!

Turnbull has Marmita engaged in tomorrow night’s Bathurst program and Saturday night’s Club Menangle meeting, and as you can guess, the mare has drawn gate one for each start.

The problem is Marmita is a notoriously slow beginning, meaning the daughter of Western Terror is likely to settled along the pegs several positions from the leader.

“With most horses you’d be rapt drawing the pole, especially in their next two starts,” Turnbull said.

“For her though it’s not much of a help as she has no gate speed and will be well-back on the inside.

“It’s not too much of a concern given she is a sit-sprinter and best driven quietly, but being caught on the inside can make it hard to get a run.

“I’m less worried about that at Menangle because of the big track and long straight, which she will love once she’s in the clear.”

Runner-up during her last three outings, Marmita is the $2.75 second elect at Bathurst, with Beale Street – prepared by Turnbull’s sister Amanda – a $2 favourite from gate six.

“Amanda’s horse is going better than it’s last start suggests and is the one to beat,” Turnbull said.

“Marmita recently beat Im Desirable which has since run a couple of nice placings at Menangle, so hopefully that form stacks up well on the weekend.

“There is some strong form around her in the Menangle race, but she’s going well and will be thereabouts.”