It was a case of always the bridesmaid and never the bride for Riverton trainer Ebony Turner at her local Easter meeting, but she is hoping to turn those tables when she returns to her home track on Friday with a septet of runners.
Whiny Meow and Tommy Perfect were two of those Easter placegetters, and they will be hoping to go one better in the Otautau Farmlands/Uncle Bucks Second Hand Shop Handicap (1400m).
Turner has been particularly impressed with the form of Whiny Meow over the last few months, with the son of Iffraaj posting five consecutive placings, and he is now after an elusive victory.
“Both have trained on really well,” Turner said. “Whiny Meow has been a model of consistency for a while now and I would love to see him get a win onboard. I can’t complain with his work.
“Tommy Perfect came through his runs over Easter really well and it wouldn’t surprise me if I saw both of them in the top three.”
Stablemates The Motivator, The Advisor, Ali Nel and De Russian Rocket also featured in the money at Riverton over Easter weekend, and Turner is pleased with the quartet ahead of their respective races on Friday.
“Ali Nel has come through her last run probably the best out of all of them,” she said. “It didn’t knock her around at all. I am just hoping that she gets a good, economical run on the rail from that gate (4) and they leave her alone, so she doesn’t overdo it in the early stages.
“The Motivator has come through his race a completely different horse, he has grown a leg, so I would be surprised if we don’t see him in the top three again.
“We are just hoping De Russian Rocket can pip someone at the post rather than him being pipped at the post. He had a couple of days out on grass and has bounced back good as gold.
“The Advisor has worked on really well and hopefully she can get that elusive win. She is doing everything right.”
Deciphering Me is Turner’s only contender that didn’t get a run over Easter, and Turner is hoping that has worked in her favour when she lines-up in the Waiau Valley Shearing/Aparima Electrical Maiden (1400m). “It was really disappointing that she didn’t get a run over the Easter carnival, but it is probably a blessing in disguise because she has trained on really well and in the last 10 days she has really turned a corner and feels like she wants to be there,” Turner said. “I am excited to see what she can do.