Jett Turnbull and his father Nathan Turnbull after driving his first winner last year.
THERE was always a strong belief that Jett Turnbull was destined to produce something special once he come of age and began his driving career in July last year.
It was obvious by watching him compete in his trial drives that the 16-year-old had inherited the natural ability from both his famous Turnbull ancestry and from his other grandfather Greg Rue who was at the top of the game in his earlier driving days.
Fast-forward 10 months and young Jett is on the verge of achieving what few, if any other driver, has done in the past, that being to drive a century of winners within a year of kicking off his career.
Heading into tonight’s Bathurst meeting, the star junior sits on 96 wins with a strike rate of a win in every five drives.
Even more impressive is the fact that Turnbull is currently running fourth on the New South Wales Drivers’ Premiership for 2024 with 44 wins to his credit.
“At this point, it has honestly been a dream come true for me,” said Jett.
“Looking at my position on the state premiership makes me feel like I need to pinch myself.
“But there is no way I would be in this position without the luxury of my concession claim and the support Dad and Mum and of a lot of other stables have afforded me with some nice drives.
“I was only recently discussing the looming milestone with Dad, and he said the more I think about it, the harder it will be to reach.
“So, I have taken his advice on board and am just focussing on each drive, hoping that by July 18 the 100-win goal becomes a reality.”
That said, Jett’s main mission tonight at Bathurst will be to qualify Taminisha Terror for the $100,000 TAB Western Regional Championships Final.
The gelding, which is trained by his grandfather Steve, will contest the second heat (Race 5) and heads into the series as one of the class runners.
Despite his numerical form not reading all that well, Jett believes Taminisha Terror’s handy gate two draw over his preferred middle distance will help his chances.
“The conditions of tonight’s race should suit him,” he said.
