‘Jimmy’ holding special place in top trainer’s heart

By Josh Spasaro 

James Alfred is no superstar, but he’ll always hold a special place in the heart of top trainer, Chantal Turpin.

And the brown/black gelding who turns four on November 24 is a genuine winning chance in the second North Star Series Heat (West) over 2200 metres at Marburg on Sunday.

From gate six, he will take a win, two runners-up and two third-placed finishes from his past five starts into the $10,000 feature.

“It’s going to be hard from the draw. But he’s never really run a bad race,” Turpin said.

“He always tries 100 per cent. He’s no star, but he’s a family horse and one of our favourites.”

James Alfred has started his career in strong fashion with five wins from 29 starts.

“He came second in the Group 1 Triad Final and he went really well there as well,” Turpin said.

He also has a sentimental connection to Turpin, who helps run the successful training and stud property Somerset Farms, alongside husband Pete McMullen at Patrick Estate.

“He’s a pretty special horse – he’s named after my late grandfather,” Turpin said.

“He lived with us when I was younger, and that horse was actually born on his birthday.

“His stable name is Jimmy, which is what my grandfather’s nickname was. And James Alfred was his real name.”

James Alfred is by high-performing sire A Rocknroll Dance, who is a resident stallion at Somerset Farms.

And he is out of Our Delight, who Turpin trained to eight wins from 43 starts, with father Tony owning the soon to be 11-year-old mare.

“Dad (Tony) bred Jimmy. He was foaled at home, so he’s been there from day dot,” Turpin said.

“Dad raced the mum and she’s been a part of the family for a long time.

“And we’ve got ‘Dance’, so he’s a pretty special one.

“Alabar Farm was looking to move on A Rocknroll Dance. They had younger horses coming through and didn’t want him anymore.

“So, we did a deal with them and purchased him four years ago now.”

Turpin currently sits second on Albion Park’s metropolitan trainers’ ladder.

“The goal is to tick over the winners and get the owners to cover their bills,” she said.

“We’re having a good run at the moment – it’s probably the best team of horses we’ve ever had.

“So, it’s very exciting.”

Tom Callaghan will drive James Alfred at Marburg on Sunday.

He is fifth in Albion Park’s metropolitan drivers’ standings.

“We’d be lost without Tommy. He’s the stable foreman at home and he’s only a young kid,” Turpin said.

“But he’s really stepped up. We appreciate everything he does.”

AlwaysBJoy is also a strong winning chance for Turpin in the first North Star Series Heat (West) at Marburg on Sunday.

The three-year-old filly has five wins from 15 starts, and she will start from gate six.

“It’s going to be hard after she drew six. I can’t believe both of ours have drawn six,” Turpin said. 

“She is a classy filly, but it’s going to be extremely hard to make the final from that barrier.”

The Always B Miki and JumpForJoy filly fought well to get third in a 3YO Open Pace race over 1660 metres in her last start on August 8.

“She’s had a freshen-up since then. She’s ready to go – it’s just going to be extremely hard from that draw on the small track,” Turpin said.

“She’s a very tough type and always gives 100 per cent. She’s come over from New Zealand and has done a really good job.

“She was a bit goofy to start with. But she found her feet pretty quick and adapted to our racing style.

“She’s pretty versatile. She’s a big, strong type of mare, and a typical Miki.”