A win would cause for double celebrations for Dubbo owner-trainer Barry Lew, with the nine-year-old champion gelding also attempting to win the prestigious race for the third time.

Karloo Mick notched up win number 49 last Sunday when breezing through the Harvey Norman Dubbo Children’s X-box Draw Pace (2120m) ahead of Foolish Kiss in his first race at Dubbo in two-and-a-half years.

Boasting $1,100,768 in career prizemoney, boosted by a recent win in the Ashburton Flying Stakes and third in the Miracle Mile, Karloo Mick will most likely start firm favourite for tonight’s race.

However, Lew was conscious of the presence of some stiff competition in the field combined with a tough barrier draw.

“We will try and win the 50, but whether we can or not is another question,” Lew said.

“We’re drawn badly in 10, but that was always going to be the case as the race was drawn on metropolitan wins and with 19 metropolitan wins it sticks him out there.

“There’s some nice horses in the race. When you’re playing with that sort of money nice horses turn up.

“The likes of Panorama Swing, Ace Kriden - there are quite a few there that can get going up the front early and stop you from getting into the race.

“But that’s not my problem.”

Fortunately for Lew, the responsibility of getting Karloo Mick over the line will lie in the hands of champion Sydney driver Greg Bennett, who in recent times has been appointed the big money drives.

Lew has previously stated that the Shirley Turnbull Memorial is a race that he treasures more than most and winning three would mean a lot to him.

“No other horse has won the Shirley Turnbull three times,” he said.

“It would be nice to do that. I drove Mick to one of the wins (in 2004) and then Kurt (Lew, Barry’s nephew) was in the gig when I was out injured (in 2006).

“It’s a highly valued race and there’s a lot of prestige in winning it. As a result it will be a tough race to get away with.”

It’s been a year of milestones for Karloo Mick, who started 2009 with a third placing in the Inter Dominion in March and surpassed the million dollar mark with his win in the Cordina Chicken Sprint at Harold Park in November.

But Lew admitted there remains some milestones he is yet to achieve in his euphoric trip with Karloo Mick.

“It’s been a great run, getting to a million dollars is great and we’re heading for 50 wins now,” Lew said.

“I’ve always wanted to win a Group One or a Grand Circuit race with him and it hasn’t happened.

“But then again he’s the only horse to ever win a million dollars without winning a Grand Circuit race.

“So hopefully we can change that over the next few months.”

The Panorama x Miss Jogalong progeny has the potential to greatly increase his earnings with the Shirley Turnbull Memorial, part of a three-race series along with the $40,000 Young Cup and Parkes Gold Cup.

If any horse can win all three, they will earn a $50,000 bonus.

Lew said that his champion will definitely contest the Young Cup but will only go on to Parkes if he wins the other two.

Otherwise he will begin preparations for another Inter Dominion campaign.