Racing
Charge on for Turk Warrior
Connections are hoping that grand sprinter Turk Warrior can turn back time and repeat his 2023 win in the $109,000 Ladbrokes Carpet Charge (1009m) on Devonport Cup Day next month.
The 'Turk' was a brilliant winner of the inaugural charge, and his new trainer is hoping lightning can strike twice.
Turk Warrior, who hasn't raced since mid-July and is now in the care of Rowan Hamer, showed a glimpse of his old self with a smart trial win in Devonport on Tuesday.
Turk Warrior, with Erica Byrne Burke in the saddle, clocked 49.36sec for the 800m, and while it wasn't the quickest time of the morning, the 7yo looked sharp.
"He's obviously a good horse; he's very fast, but he just had a nice bowl around and had a good time," Hamer said after the trial.
"He's only had 36 starts, but it feels like he's been around forever.
"The Carpet Charge is the aim, there aren't many races he can run in. We didn't get him early enough to go to the Newmarket. He won the Carpet Charge a couple of years ago, so that's where he's headed."
"He's only half fit, and he's very lazy when he gets to the front, so we didn't want to give him a hard run, just a nice blowout."
Turk Warrior burst onto the scene as a 2yo, winning his first eight races. His overall record stands at 36 starts, 14 wins and 11 placings with stake earnings of $755,000.
Glenn Stevenson and Stephen Shaw have previously trained Turk Warrior. He has been with Hamer for three months.
Connections of Tasmanian Derby winner Likeakalix would also have been delighted with his effort to finish third in the trial won by Turk Warrior.
The 4yo, who hasn't been seen since winning the Derby in early February, just idled to the line, finishing third, beaten a 1/2 length.
In the space of five runs last summer, Likeakalix went from a maiden to winning the Launceston Guineas, then the Derby. He has an impressive record of just seven starts for four wins and three placings.
Another to watch from the Devonport trials is Rebel's Girl, who won in the fastest time of the day (48.74sec).
The 4yo raced once back in May, finishing last in a Devonport maiden, but the daughter of Needs Further x Rebel Bride has trialled impressively in recent weeks and looks set to be a coming winner.
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