BEVERLEY RACES : Big Weekend For Turner Duo

Life’s a beach for North Yorkshire trainer Jim Turner at Beverley Races this weekend.

Helperby-based Turner could have cause for much celebration within the space of 24 hours as Bondi Beach Babe and Bondi Beach Boy both run at Beverley Racecourse this weekend.

The former has been declared for the Ferguson Fawsitt Arms Handicap (8.45) on Friday evening, while course maestro Bondi Beach Boy takes aim at the £12,500 Coachman Caravans Quality Handicap (3.00) on Saturday.

To add to the sense of occasion, Turner’s late brother, Tom, bred both horses – as well as Rapid Lad, the extraordinary thoroughbred who won 12 races at Beverley and has a bar at the track named in his honour.

Jim Turner said: “It will be great to have two good horses running at Beverley and it’s always quite nostalgic, what with Rapid Lad.

“It’s a good, friendly track and we always get a warm reception when we have runners there.”

Bondi Beach Babe has held his form exceptionally well this season, having not finished outside the first two on his last six starts.

He will be attempting to make it a quick Beverley double, too, following a three-quarters-of-a-length victory over course and distance on June 23.

Turner said: “He’s in good form and stayed on nicely to win last time.

“The handicapper has had his say, though, which won’t make life any easier, but he’s back in form now and the ground has come right for him.

“Mitch (Godwin) is a good lad and gets on very well with him, so hopefully they can carry on the good work on Friday.”

Westwood regulars will be thrilled by the return of stablemate Bondi Beach Boy, who has won five races over five furlongs at Beverley during a distinguished career.

The six-year-old gelding warmed up for the 17-runner Coachman Caravans Quality Handicap with a close-up third at Wetherby last month.

Turner said: “We had an awful time with him last year – the whole yard had a bug and we couldn’t find a winner – but, touch-wood, things have gone a lot more smoothly this season.

“He’s coming back to himself now, I think, and I thought he ran a good little race at Wetherby the other day.

“It goes without saying that he loves Beverley Racecourse and loves sprinting up that hill.”

The first leg of the ‘Big Racing Weekender’ double-header on Friday starts at 6.15pm, with the feature race, the £10,000 Aunt Bessie’s Handicap, due off at 7.15pm.

Saturday’s seven-race card at the Westwood course starts at 1.50pm, with the official going currently good to firm, with watering taking place to maintain conditions.