Emma Turnbull looking for TAB Carnival Of Cups success at Blayney on Sunday.
THE form is there and so is the horsepower but driver Emma Turnbull’s only concern with Poppy Cee is the barrier draw he faces in Sunday’s feature event at Blayney.
With recent Menangle form to envy, Poppy Cee has drawn barrier 10 in the Billy Soo Memorial Blayney Cup (2400m) at the Club’s flagship TAB Carnival of Cups meeting.
“He has been going so well around Menangle but faces a terrible draw,” said Turnbull.
“He should be right in the race but the draw hasn’t helped him.
“There are some nice horses in the race and if the speed is on he should be thereabouts.”
With the likes of the Amanda Turnbull-trained Mrs Browns Boy and recent back-to-back winner Lorenzo Shannon both drawn off the front row, it has altered Turnbull’s options with Poppy Cee.
“I was hoping to make a mid-race move but with some of the horses that are in the race I don’t think I will be able to,” said Turnbull.
“I drove on the track last week and it’s in really good condition and the surface was really good . . . it’s a tighter track so if the speed’s on and you get the right run anything could happen.”
Poppy Cee is trained by Turnbull’s mother Wendy Turnbull and the gelding has finished second-placed in four of his last five starts.
However, despite this good form the eight-year-old will most likely not be favourite.
The early fancy is Mrs Browns Boy despite being first up from a spell.
The former New Zealand pacer has an unbeaten record since racing in Australia and has won his six starts on this side of the Tasman, including a 1:52.1 career best performance at Menangle last start on August 26.
Another that has displayed strong form in the Western Districts since arriving from New Zealand is the Steve Turnbull-trained Ring The Till.
The entire has won four of his eight starts in Australia and on Sunday has a useful draw of barrier eight where he will follow out the horse is barrier two which is set to be Lorenzo Shannon (three) with the removal of the scratching.
Lorenzo Shannon, to be driven by McKayler Barnes, has been racing in career best form and has won three of his last five starts.
As for Turnbull the best draw she is faced with on Sunday is with Captains Call in race two.
The gelding had his first start back from a spell last week and has drawn barrier three.
“He had no luck first up,” said Turnbull.
Turnbull will also drive Don’t Tell Errol in race seven, drawn in barrier nine.
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