Turner caught in a creek without a paddle!
As a racing writer I have always admired Troy Turner’s riding skills and enjoy talking to the senior jockey.
Certainly Turner’s win on Settlers Creek at Ascot on December 20, looked impressive from the grandstand.
However, after Saturday’s experience I think I will keep my distance from Troy.
After being last away, and near the rear throughout, Turner charged Settlers Creek home in the straight like a member of the famous Australian Lighthorse responding to a bugle charge.
Bugle? Perhaps that is the operative word because Turner thought he was ‘on the bugle’ after the race and if you are unfamiliar with this Australian expression it simply means a person that smells.
Am I insulting one of my favourite jockeys? No.
Here is the story: shortly after the start of the Welshpool Cool Room’s Handicap (1600m), the jockey was covered in dung from the horses in front of him who were using a bit of a ‘smokescreen,’ while on the run, against the ‘tail gunner,’ Settlers Creek.
Perhaps, at that early stage of the race we could say Turner was caught in another sort of creek, without a paddle!
Anyway, he negotiated the brown haze nicely and by the end came down the outside, out of harm’s way, to claim the top weight, Windswept.
Turner, while heading for the showers for a clean-up, said Settlers Creek was a “good bread and butter horse,” with the potential to win a better sort of race.
Trainer Colin Webster said he had a high opinion of his gelding who has won three from his last four starts. Overall the three year old Discorsi gelding has four wins from 14 starts, with two places.
“He adapts well and is versatile, being able lead and win, like last start, or come from behind as he did today. I think the 1400-1600m is his distance, certainly no more than 1800m,” Webster said.
Settlers Creek is now going for a spell.