Amanda Turnbull capped a remarkable 2013-14 season by winning the three-year-old fillies Breeders Crown behind Just Cala for Goulburn trainer Dennis Picker at Melton last Sunday.
Turnbull has once again driven 200 winners for the season and helped father Steve get the double century in a season for the first time. They have taken out the state drivers and trainers premiership once again.
The 24-year-old, who also drove her 1000th this year, has made a Shepparton home with partner Nathan Jack and was at her best on Just Cala, which is owned by South Sydney Rabbitohs forward Joe Picker. She decided to take the New Zealand-bred filly to the outside in the straight to give the Pickers their biggest success in the sport.
"You don't think those sorts of things can happen, it's definitely the biggest win I've ever had anything to do with," Dennis Picker said.
It was a good day for NSW at the Breeders Crown with star mare Frith winning the four-year-old mares final and Shane Tritton-trained Marty Monkhouser winning the four-year-old entires and geldings final, driven by Lauren Panella.
It was the perfect end to the season for Tritton and Panella, who have won the Menangle trainers and drivers premiership and finished runner-up in the state titles behind the Turnbulls.
New Zealand trainer-driver Mark Purdon was the star of Breeders Crown preparing a winning treble of group 1s, My Arya and Follow The Stars, which he also drove, and Our Twentyten.
Meanwhile, John Dumesny starts as Harness Racing NSW chief executive on Monday and one of his duties will be to take the ice bucket challenge outside headquarters at Bankstown. Dumesny is attempting to raise more than $5000 but was still a little short at the beginning of the week.
He said: "Anyone who throws in $500 for the cause can toss a bucket over me."
