A second stakes winner on the day for former Darley shuttler Hard Spun (USA) after the Matthew Williams-trained Turnitaround earned his black-type victory $150,000 Group III Eclipse Stakes (1800m) at Sandown.
The six-year-old gelding has only been asked to tackle stakes company this season.
Following a third to Voodoo Last and Takedown in the Group II Moomga Stakes at Caulfield on October 15, Turnitaround disappointed when unplaced behind Fabrizio in the Listed Cup Day Plate (1800m) at Flemington on Melbourne Cup day.
With Hugh Bowman riding the gelding for the first time, Turnitaround raced on the speed before holding the challenge of the fast-finishing High Church (High Chaparral) by a neck with Lidari (FR) (Acclamation) a long-neck back in third. (photo Darryl Sherer).
"We thought if we drew a gate today we'd be coming in confident of a top three run, Williams said.
Hugh overcame that and all has gone to plan well."
"The problem is where do we go now because he has got a handicap rating over 100 so he is getting harder and harder to place.
"He has to now keep running in these stakes races."
Williams indicated the $1.5 million Group 1 Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington on March 11 was a realistic goal.
In earning his maiden stakes success,
The homebred is the fifth foal of the 4-time winning Royal Academy mare Devon Dancer a half-sister to Group III Port Adelaide Cup winner Vestey (Last Tycoon) the dam of Listed winner Rutherford Eagle (Favourite Trick).
Devon Dancer is also the dam of the very promising Von Costa De Hero mare Lady Selkirk the winner of four of her 10 starts including the last two at Flemington highlighted by the Silver Bowl Series Final.
Devon Dancer has a 2yo colt by Poet's Voice (IRE) and a yearling filly by Testa Rossa.
After the 2yo
