Turbeau Bucks the Trend with Big Finishing Win

Cairns trainer Stephen Massingham is likely to delay a spell for tricky gelding Turbeau after his rodeo like win at Cluden Park on Sunday.

Massingham thought his chances were cooked when Turbeau tried to buck for the first 50m before storming home to claim the Hygain Open Hcp (1400m) for jockey Ryan Wiggins.

He combined with Wiggins in the very next to win with the promising Memphis Shadow in the Explore Property Munro & Co BM65 Hcp (1200m).

Wiggins had a day to remember with four wins for the day but it was Turbeau’s get out of jail win on leaderish track that left Massingham impressed.

“He’s a nice old horse but has some tricks,” Massingham said.

“He was a David Brideoake horse in Victoria but he never did anything like that down there and he doesn’t do it at home. The boys reckon he’s a bomb to ride.

“A few runs back he bucked at Home Hill and tailed off and ran home, but other than that he’s been fine.

“Today I’m thinking it’s the boys riding him with the little saddle. 

“He was very unlucky in the 1400m feature at the amateurs but 

we haven’t been able to get any gallops at home. He needed the run in Atherton over 1200m but hit the line nicely for the little girl.

“I was very nervous after the first 100m when he was half bucking. But Ryan was able to ride him through it and, although he was a fair way back, they went hard and he was able to get going early and eventually pick them up,

“He’ll be a nice old horse next year.

“I was going to spell him after today, but I’ll talk to the boss (Tom Hedley). There’s a 1400m in three weeks and the amateur cup a fortnight later.”

Massingham will send Memphis Shadow for a spell after his win and will return next year with the carnivals in mind.

“He’s a bit of a handful at the races but if can just go away and have a good break I think he’ll come back pretty good,” he said.

“I think he’s a carnival horse. His first-up run was fair, but then his next run at amateurs was good but his two wins since have been great.

“We’ll give him a good break and I think he’ll come back a nice horse.”

Wiggins was at his bustling best claiming half of the eight-race card.

His other wins were Well Held for Rockhampton trainer Clinton Taylor in Ladbrokes Yard Comments 3YO Hcp (1200m) and the heavily backed Our Turn Now for trainer John  Wiggington in the Great Northern Brewing Co C3 Plate (1609m).