EMMA Turnbull admitted all drivers and horses were lucky to avoid "big carnage" and walk away uninjured following a dramatic opening race at Dubbo Paceway on Wednesday evening.
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The opening event, a heat of the Menangle Where Horses Fly Country Series (1720m), was marred by a fall to driver Mitch Turnbull.
Im Captain Morgan, beginning inside Turnbull and his horse Missed By Red in the front row, galloped around the first bend and clipped Turnbull's gig, throwing him to the floor, while Missed By Red galloped around the track for a bit before charging off across the field towards the home straight.
Luckily, clerks of the course Terry and Renae Robb were quickly into action and acted well to catch and calm the horse and not let it affect the outcome of the race.
"It was an interesting sort of race with all the drama on the first corner and at one stage I didn't know if it was going to be called off but the clerks of the course did a great job to catch that horse and we didn't cop too much interference," Emma Turnbull, who went on to win with Jethros An Eagle, said.
"The horse that lost its driver came and hit my wheel and had it just been a stride in front it would have been big carnage but it's just one of those things and it's lucky everyone and horses got out safely."
Some runners were affected by a loose Missed By Red but Pacific Hot Shot ($57.80) managed to get herself out in front while Turnbull and Jethros An Eagle ($6.50) sat back in third behind On Angels Wings ($61.40).
Once they got the bell Turnbull began to move to the outside and by the time the entered the back straight she was going past Pacific Hot Shot, who was soon overrun by the whole field.
Once in the straight for home it was fairly routine for Turnbull as she cruised to a dominant 11m win in a mile rate of 1:59:6.
The win was the gelding's fifth in 29 starts and books a ticket to the final at Menangle on April 30 where Jethros An Eagle will race for a share of $25,000.
"He's very unlucky and we've had a lot of issues with him but hopefully we're on the right track now," Turnbull said after the win.
"We've tried for a few of these Menangle races but have been unlucky and haven't had them when he's right.
"He's racing well and raced well today, even though a lot got disadvantaged but went really well at Parkes and he won't shame himself at Menangle.
"It's unbelievable money and would be good to be in the places there."
Abercrombie Alice ($4) ran home well for second while Bertie Francis ($26.20) was a further neck back in third.
Meanwhile Mitch Turnbull walked away with nothing but a torn pair of pants and took his spot in the gig for the rest of the meeting.
