Badboybeau and Carly Turnbull. Photo by Bathurst HRC
A GROUP of owners connected with Bathurst Harness Racing Club is riding the crest of a wave as part of a syndicate that races former New Zealand pacer Badboybeau.
This son of Lincoln Royal is unbeaten in two Australian starts for trainer Nathan Turnbull.
Purchased with the express purpose of racing locally, Badboybeau tonight contests one of Bathurst’s time-honoured feature races, the $20,000 Bathurst RSL Club Soldiers Saddle Final.
The Soldiers Saddle has long been regarded as a 'good horse’s race,’ with former winners going on to better things - and Badboybeau appears to be the type that is going to do just that.
The three-year-old gelding has come up with an ideal barrier three draw and after an impressive heat win has been posted a long odds-on favourite to take out the final.
Still, his trainer-driver Nathan Turnbull is taking nothing for granted going into the race and is adamant his pacer will need to be at his absolute best against what he believes is a quality field.
“He is a very nice horse and I do consider him to be a top winning chance tonight,” said Turnbull.
“But when you race for good prizemoney, like this race has on offer, it is game-on, so you can never take things lightly.
“That said, we do have a nice draw which will enable us to roll forward and hopefully find the top and from there he should take some beating.
“I am grateful to the syndicate that races Badboybeau for allowing me to train him.
“Syndicate horses are a great way to involve people in the sport and many of these owners have been long-term supporters of the Bathurst Club.
“So, it is good to see them getting results with this bloke.”
It is shaping as another good night for Turnbull, whose stable is in red-hot form.
Nathan will line up the favourite in three of the first four races and he is looking to top off what has been a hugely successful season for him.
“I would have to say I currently have the best team I have ever had, which is very satisfying,” he said.
“There is some really good racing coming up in our area over the next month and we are keen to be right in amongst it.”
