Visiting Victorian trainer Craig Turnbull will be chasing more Tasmanian success with three runners engaged in Launceston on Sunday night.
Turnbull has Okanui Beach in the state for next weekend’s Group 3 Globe Derby Final, with the Downbytheseaside colt lining up this Sunday in the fourth race on the program, a rating 50 to 54 event over 1680m.
Okanui Beach has won four of his 13 starts and was placed behind Hungry Hippo, in last weekend’s Globe Derby Prelude, when first-up from a four and a half month break from the track.
“He will definitely come on from that run, it will tighten him up and so will this week, and hopefully he will be prime for the following week,” said Craig’s daughter Abbey, who will take the drive again this week.
“We haven’t had much luck with the draw, but we will just have to make our own luck.
Okanui Beach was bred in the state by Mick Maxfield, who sold the Downbytheseaside colt at the 2023 APG Melbourne sale for $20,000.
Craig has two runners engaged in the 45 to 49 event over 2200m, including Bet Sheza Lady, who has drawn barrier two with Alex Ashwood booked for the drive, while Abbey will partner last start two-year-old winner Rocky Rocks, who led all the way in 1:58.1s in Launceston.
Rocky Rocks steps up to take on the older horses this week, and also has a wide second-row draw, but his winning mile rate last start was the equal fastest on the 10-race card.
“He did it really well, he is still very green, but he has got a promising future, and Dad has got a bit of an opinion of him.
“He will get a lot of experience having the trip over there.
“We have got the visitors draw this week, but Dad is really happy with his work, and we will see how we go.”
Sunday’s nine-race Launceston card commences with the Launceston Belmont at 16:55 on Sky Racing 2, with the final eight races to be shown on Sky Racing 1.
