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Watch Pulp Fiction too tough in Open Pace

16 September 2019

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By Duane Ranger

Outstanding Brisbane Broncos utility, Jake Turpin, might have lost Sunday’s preliminary final against the Parramatta Eels yesterday (Sunday), but he still ended the weekend a winner.

The 22-year-old former St Edmunds College (Ipswich) student co-owns Watch Pulp Fiction, who won the feature Open Pace at Albion Park on Saturday night.

It was Watch Pulp Fiction’s 23rd career win from 88 starts ($260,585) and ninth at ‘The Creek’. The tough son of Art Major, out-muscled his seven opponents in the $14,000 Gotta Go Cullect At Egmont Park Stud Pace.

The 8-year-old bay had a head to spare over Aztec Bromac. The Shady One was 3.2 metres back in third.

Turpin’s older sister, Chantal, trains Watch Pulp Fiction at Patrick Estate. She also did the driving.

“He’s been flying lately and went super here last start, two weeks ago. I thought he was our best chance tonight,” Turpin said immediately after the 1,660m mobile.

Turpin shot the $5 third favourite to the lead from gate three. He was going so fast he managed to hold out the favourite, Pembrooks Passion, who drew one.

In fact, Pembrooks Passion broke trying to hold out Watch Pulp Fiction, leaving the latter 20 metres in front turning into the straight the first time.

From there it was just a matter of catch me if you can, and they couldn’t.

Watch Pulp Fiction stopped the clock in 1:54.9 (mile rate 1:51). He burnt his first quarter in 26.6. That was his quickest 400m, followed by 29.6, 27.0, and 28.5 final quarters.

“He’s going the best he ever has. We are very proud of him. We were quite lucky the favourite galloped when we were both vying for the lead.

“I was going to keep trying for the front regardless. He can sometimes get quite keen when he gets to the front because he always tries his heart out.

“He deserved that win because he gets attacked a fair bit. He’s a tough horse. We are very proud of him,” Turpin said.

The other highlight of the nine-race programme came from Australia’s top trainer of last season – Grant Dixon.

The talented Tamborine horseman trained half the card via the last four races. The quartet of victories came via Ima Black Beauty (R6), Tennyson Bromac (R7), Tassini (R8), and Our Overanova in the feature trot (R9).

Dixon drove Tennyson Bromac and last season’s ‘Trotter-of-the-Year’, Our Overanova.

Dixon was especially pleased with the 2.3m win from the hottest favourite of the evening, Tennyson Bromac, who paid a paltry $1.35.

“He’s going particularly well and got the run to suit. He went an equally good race on Tuesday. He got a little bit sick when he came over from New Zealand (December 19 last year) and is really starting to hit his straps now,” Dixon said of 5-year-old son of Bettor’s Delight.

Tennyson Bromac has now won five of his last six starts and 14 from 35 since making his winning debut at Addington Raceway on October 12, 2017 for New Zealand’s top trainers, Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen.

He’s now had 10 wins from 22 starts for Dixon.

Meanwhile, Brendan Barnes and Paul Diebert, also had driving doubles. The former steered the Jack Butler trained Casino Tommy to win race two, and then repeated the dose three races later with another Butler trainee, Gregs Legacy.

Diebert was successful behind Ima Black Beauty and Tassini.

“It was my first drive behind Ima Black Beauty. Grant said she would go close and I thought ‘no pressure’. Mr Dixon is making me look good and I’m very appreciative to him and all the owners for the good driving opportunities I have been getting lately,” Diebert said.