Dubbo trainer Barry Lew made the trip to Bathurst hoping for some upsets in the Star Trek series semi-finals, but instead it was the favourites who saluted in convincing showings.
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Lew, back in action after an extended period out injured, had Karloo Jonno in the second semi-final on Wednesday night but his gelding finished well back while Ominous Warning ($1.20) controlled things up front.
Ominous Warning’s win followed on from a strong showing by Amanda Turnbull’s $1.95 favourite Now Eye See in the opening semi.
NOW Eye See has stayed true to her favourite’s tag ($1.95) in the Bedwells Feedbarn Star Trek Semi Final 1 (1730 metres), winning by 1.90 metres ahead of her closest rival.
Charging from barrier three in the 1730m event, Now Eye See started the opening semi by trailing Grosestar ($3.60).
And the four-year-old bay mare continued to slip further down the pecking order, slotting into fifth, on the outside, by the time the bell went for the last lap.
Turnbull needed to get Now Eye See to the front and as they pack made its move into the last turn, Turnbull made her move.
Turnbull worked her mare up the pack and for the front in the home straight, pushing ahead of Life Lavros ($9.50) and Grosestar to win.
Fast finishing New Zealand horse Delilaah was able to claim third place, after Grosestar dropped off in the home straight to come fourth.
Life Lavros finished in second.
Turnbull knew mid-race there was plenty of work to do.
“There was a lot happening early on in the race. I was confident mid-race that she could get the win,” she said.
“She was struggling a bit, but she straightened up and got going and won nicely.”
The win for Now Eye See qualifies the mare the Star Trek final, to be held at the Bathurst Paceway next Friday.
And Turnbull will have two pacers in the final after Tintin Naturally finished sixth, enough for the New Zealand import to qualify.
She’s unsure which horse she will drive come the final.
“I’m not sure [which one I’ll drive], because I’ve got the other horse in. Hopefully they both perform well in the final and push for the win,” Turnbull said.
In the other semi final at the eight race meeting, Ominious Warning claimed victory for Bathurst trainer Peter Trevor-Jones.
Driven by John O’Shea, it was the seven-year-old bay gelding’s fourth consecutive win and 10th win in just 11 starts.
The top six in each semi-final will qualify for next Friday’s final.
There will be no Wednesday meeting next week, with the normally meeting moved to Friday.
STAR TREK FINAL QUALIFIERS:
- Now Eye See (A Turnbull), Life Lavros (A Grives), Delilaah (M Muscat), Grosestar (S Turnbull), Reverse Psychology (N Turnbull), Tintin Naturally (A Turnbull), Ominous Warning (P Trevor-Johns), Arcachon (C Frisby), Schouten Island (G Johns), Afterdinnerspeaker (T Butt), Tulhurst Cash (N Hurst), Abercrombie Tab (M Betts)
