Amanda Turnbull and Bundoran winning a heat of the Inter Dominion at Newcastle last Sunday. Photo by Club Menangle
THE odds were against them, but Bathurst trainers Chris Frisby and Amanda Turnbull have proven that hard work and dedication pays off after they both qualified a runner for this weekend’s TAB Inter Dominion Championships Grand Final at Tabcorp Park Menangle.
Bundoran provided Amanda and part-owner Michael Boots with their first Inter Dominion heat winner after Turnbull gave the four-year-old a peach of a drive.
Our Uncle Sam produced a strong effort after he raced without cover for the final 1100 metres to finish second behind Expensive Ego and gain a spot in the Final.
Owned by Judy Frisby and Peter Delaney, who paid a meagre $3,500 for the son of Sportswriter at the 2014 Bathurst Yearling Sales, Our Uncle Sam, who has now amassed almost $700,000, has proven that bargain buys do happen.
“Sam is living proof that you do not always have to pay big dollars to end up with a good horse,” said Chris Frisby.
“Our bloke is as honest as the day is long and has taken us on an adventure that we could only dream of.
“Personally, I think he has been great throughout the three qualifying rounds.
“He had no luck on night one as he copped a couple of checks in the run home and then at Bathurst the mile trip was simply not his go, yet he still finished fifth.
“We went up to Newcastle knowing that at we had to run top three to gain sufficient points to make the final and things worked out perfectly.
“Anthony (Frisby) drove him exactly how we planned, and he was brave in being beaten by less than two metres.
“But we have made the final and despite drawing off the back line, we are tickled pink to be there.
“When we went to Melbourne in 2018, we had to run top two on the last night, which we did and scraped through, so there is a touch of déjà vu about this series for us.”
Our Uncle Sam drew barrier one that year and ran a fighting second to Tiger Tara.
“We are confident Sam is back to his best and I know he will relish the longer distance in the final,” said Frisby.
“It is just a real honor to be in the great race again.
“We will be proud of Sam whatever happens on Saturday night.”
