Racing

FATHER KNOWS BEST

 

The main race at Belmont, the Mitavite Trophy (1600m), had everything, a fierce father and son duel, a protest and the result finally being declared in the stewards room.

Troy Turner showed why he is one of WA’s best jockeys when he brought form galloper Properantes, from seventh on the turn,  along the inside of the ever consistent Bayatorio, ridden by his son Jordan, to win by a head.

Drumnoorum was a neck away in third place.

Trainer Colin Webster played the part of the ‘Godfather,’ in this drama, having had Turner Snr as an apprentice in the past and currently has Turner Jr indentured to him.

He was delighted with Properantes finishing run, the way he completed this campaign and the father- son fighting finish.

“I was worried with him being on the fence as he likes room to gallop, but Troy did the job, and Properantes is now going for a spell.” The gelding has won five of his nine starts.

However the drama did not end there as Jordan Turner fired in a protest against Properantes, alleging interference in the final two metres of the race when Bayatorio received a bump from the winner.

Webster and Troy Turner conceded there had been a bump. However, as Webster said, “Properantes had come from behind and had got his head in front just before the post when the bump occurred.” The stewards concurred that the bump had changed nothing and the placings stood.

It is probably a racing first that a father and son have fought out a thrilling finish and then been involved in a protest. Ironically, Troy Turner rode Wahkeena in the following race for Brett Pope, who is also Bayatorio’s trainer.

It has to be said that Properantes was turned out a treat by his trainer. There was a real sheen to his dark coat and one punter, determined to back the grey galloper, Silver Plated, was so impressed with his looks that he changed his mind, deciding to back the Webster galloper. It was a wise decision as the grey finished sixth.

Webster is not getting carried away with his charge but considers that Properantes will be a solid performer, in better races, when he returns to racing.

Jake Casey continues to impress and the apprentice landed another double with Detection and True Storm, the latter in a thriller.