NEW SOUTH WALES horsewoman Amanda Turnbull is happy to call South Australia her adopted state following another success stint.
Winner of last season's Southern Cross Final with Animal at Globe Derby, Turnbull returned with the youngster for his title defence in Port Pirie tonight.
This time around, however, Turnbull elected to drive Catch A Moment which led throughout to take the mantle from his stablemate.
After finding the front from the pole Catch A Moment was challenged by Perfect Major and Cee Cee In America during the middle stages.
Striding clear of the pack along the home straight, the son of Art Major completed a 14-and-a-half metre win from Perfect Major, with Animal three-and-a-half metres away third.
"That was a top little run from him," Turnbull said. "He's received a bit of pressure from a couple of them and still proved too strong.
"I was very happy with the way he got away from them in the straight and he found the line strongly."
Winner of his heat at the same venue last week, the colt rated 1:55.4 over 2050 metres with his time six-tenths of a second outside Whenmechief's track record.
To be given a light week, Catch A Moment will then be set to the Vicbred Super Series, which concludes with a Final in Melton on July 6.
Turnbull then combined with Victorian trainer Emma Stewart to annex a second Southern Cross Final thanks to Treasure's impressive performance.
Overcoming her second row draw Treasure was untouched to account for Aces Daughter and Celebrity Chef - a stablemate of the winner.
Covering the mile in 1:57.8, the two-year-old daughter of Art Major extended her tally to four wins and a second from five starts for earnings of $47,751.
"She is a very talented filly as her record suggests," Turnbull said. "I'm not sure when is next for her, but she is going to be hard to beat in whatever that is."
HOOFNOTE: Turnbull's South Australian record includes four Southern Cross heat win last weekend.
- PAUL COURTS
