Menangle harness racing trainer Kerryann Turner was the leading female trainer in New South Wales last season after winning a career best 151 races. Turner is set to bring up another century of winners with the 26-year old sitting on 99 NSW winners for the season. While the hardworking horsewoman is still chasing an elusive Gr. 1 victory, there have been a number of highlights this season already.
"Winning the Pink Bonnet at Menangle with Abettorrose was pretty special but there have been some other very good wins this season as well," said Turner.
"To win a heat of the Victoria Derby with Aztec Bromac was a thrill and I got to drive him in that race as well, we have also won a heat of the APG and had a great start to our Breeders Challenge series so it is hard to put one win ahead of the other."
With a big team engaged at Tabcorp Park Menangle on Tuesday there is a big chance Turner will reach 100 state winners on her home track.
"The Marshall is my first runner of the day and he looks to be an each way chance but I think Aztec Bromac is a good hope in race five.
"Aztec Bromac tries very hard, he will be going to Brisbane on Friday and will start in the Redcliffe Derby the following week, he is going to stay up there until the Queensland Derby."
Iam Mr Brightside is another of the Turner stable that will make the trip north during the Winter Carnival.
"Iam Mr Brightside has had two trials back, his first one was very good and his second one was ok but he is a lot bigger than he has been previously so he is taking a little bit more work than he has in the past.
"He will go to Queensland to compete in the Four Year Old Championships and the Four and Five Year Old Championships."
With four two year old fillies already qualified for the Pepper Tree Farm Breeders Challenge semi finals, Turner is hoping to repeat her performance of qualifying six runners for the Gr. 1 finals last year.
"We had a number of runners in the Breeders Challenge finals last year and hopefully we can have a good representation again.
"It has been a good start for us winning two heats already with Redbank Sheebee winning at Newcastle on Friday and Lettuce Go Pippa winning at Bathurst last Wednesday."
While Turner continues to work hard she is already planning for the birth of her first child in November.
"I'm already four months along, I was getting morning sickness early in the pregnancy but I'm feeling pretty good at the moment and I'm starting to get a bit of a belly.
"The due date has changed each time Robbie and I have been to see the doctor but the last time we went we were told November 6."
Greg Hayes