By Jordan Gerrans
When a gifted but troubled pacer such as Turn It Up constantly runs courageous races in Group events, without winning one, Shane Graham could not be prouder.
Some trainers, drivers or owners might get frustrated or angry with a horse like Turn It Up, who has run inside the top four in his last three trips to the races, all of which were at Group level, but did not claim one.
The Logan Village trainer and driver is appreciative of exactly what the bay gelding has gone through in his career and understands Turn It Up is lucky to still be in work at his stable, such are the concerns with his body.
The former NZ-based pacer battles arthritis and bad feet, with Graham having to manage his workload during the week, as well as space out his runs.
After three near breakthroughs this campaign – on top of running in the money in the 2020 edition of the Blacks A Fake – the 40-year-old Graham is optimistic his stable star could be at his peak this week for the Grand Circuit feature in Queensland.
“He seems to be as good as ever, this year has been his best racing that he has done,” Graham said.
“Hopefully, he is just right and he is just managing it ok.
“He is lucky to still be going around in races like this.”
The statistics back up Graham’s thoughts – having gone to the races 11 times this year, winning five to go along with a handful of minor placings.
The son of Courage Under Fire began his racing journey across the ditch with the powerful Mark Purdon and Natalie Rasmussen team, before eventually transferring to Graham’s care in Australia.
Through his issues with his body, the Purdon and Rasmussen combination opted to move him on.
And, while, Graham recognises that Turn It Up is not ever going to reach the heights they thought he might earlier in his career, the warm weather in the Sunshine State is helping his aches and pains to allow him to still race at a high level.
“He is lucky to still be racing, Mark and Natalie had a big opinion of him and they would have tried everything to keep him, he is not the sort of horse you want to lose out of your stable,” Graham said.
“Coming over here to Australia was the last go for him and it has all worked out.
“Maybe he is never going to be what he could have been but at the end of the day, he is still racing at a high mark.
“I knew from the get-go he might not get back to his very best but he is racing very good, but these Group races are so hard to win.”
In search of a well-deserved Group 1 prize, the week of the Blacks A Fake is a rare one that Graham will consider backing his gelding up seven days later.
He did it this time last year – where he finished well back in the field – but believes Turn It Up is better placed this time around.