Turk and Toker in triumph

TURK WARRIOR may have set the benchmark for the state’s two- year- olds when he scored an emphatic win on debut in the Tony Carrick 2YO Vase over 1000 metres at Elwick on Sunday.

The Glenn Stevenson-trained gelding joined race leader Neutralize on the home turn and when rider Ismail Toker asked for an effort he quickly collared the leader and went on to score comfortably from Neutralize with the Cameron Thompson- trained Coeur De Lyon ($ 31) a distant third.

Turk Warrior ($ 3.90) had two trials before making his debut and Stevenson was expecting the son of Outreach to win.

“There is an air of expectancy with two- year- olds that show ability from day one, but a bit of uncertainty also creeps into the equation because race pressure can make horses act differently,” Stevenson said.

“I am absolutely rapt with this horse and to travel all the way to Hobart from Wesley Vale for his first look at the Hobart track and do what he did, makes me think we might have something a bit special.”

The rider also was full of praise for the gelding that is owned by his uncle, Sayit Basol.

“I was very proud of him today because he had to travel a big way and race on a track that he had never seen but he handled it like a real professional,” Toker said.

“When he was chasing the leader, he felt great and always in control, but when he hit the front, he got a bit lost.

“It was a very good win for his first start, and I think he has a very good future.” The runner- up was game in defeat and will benefit from the outing, while Coeur De Lyon and fourth- placed Champagne Cinders ($ 5) also will take benefit from the experience. Stevenson said Turk Warrior would be sent for a short spell and return for the better feature two- year- old races in January- February. FULL SPEED AHEAD has taken a while to give her owners a return but following yesterday’s impressive win in a maiden- class one over 2100 metres they can look to the future with a little more optimism.

Sardegna Deal ($ 1.85) was backed as if unbeatable while Full Speed Ahead, that had been placed second at her two previous outings, drifted out to start at $ 4.40.

Sardegna Deal led with Full Speed Ahead’s trainer-jockey Siggy Carr content to settle second three lengths away. When the leader tried to quicken 600m from home, Carr allowed her mount to creep closer and on the home turn she took control and the five- year- old mare went on to score by almost a length from Costero ($ 8) with Sizzkye a distant third.