Turn It Up ends season on a high

By Jonny Turner

Turn It Up called on his fighting qualities to cap an incredible season with a win in the 4YO Emerald at the Harness Jewels.

Mark Purdon, who drove the pin-up pacer and co-trains him with Natalie Rasmussen, admitted the equine freak show was out on his feet in the final stages of the Group 1 feature.

That did not look to be the case as Purdon sat quietly in the cart while Henry Hubert and driver, John Dunn, challenged the winners on the passing lane.

The master trained said after the race Turn It Up was purely running on heart in the tough Addington conditions.

“He was getting tired that last bit,” Purdon said.

“He had copped a bit of pressure and he went a 1.55 mile-rate”

Turn It Up stopped the clock in 2.22.6 for the 1980 event, a mile rate of 1.55.8.

Much of the pressure in the race came when co-trainer and driver, Lauren Tritton, refused to give away the parked position from the 1500m with Falcon Stride.

That left Vintage Cheddar stuck out three-wide with no cover from the last lap.

That scenario meant driver, Natalie Rasmussen, was forced to launch Ashley Locaz four-wide from the 700m, an effort that told with the second favourite fading to fifth.

Purdon confirmed Turn It Up would head to the spelling paddock after his win and the New Zealand Cup would be on his agenda on his return to training “at this stage”.

Henry Hubert, who began well from barrier 1 and trailed Turn It Up throughout, got within half a length of the winner at the finish.

Nandolo, who tracked the Robert Dunn trained pacer for the entire 1980m event, ran arguable the race of his career to record a Group 1 placing.