It’s hard to believe that the big grey gelding known as Striking Distance (Turbo) started his career as a help horse. Turbo is by A New Player (IMP) and out of Flying F Candy Flex who is by Doc’s Spinifex. Interestingly, Flying F CandyFlex was a very successful cutting horse whose wins included the Darling Downs Cutting Club Derby in 1997. After which the mare was exported to the USA where she still shows successfully today at 14 years of age.

Turbo was bred by embryo transfer and was owned by the Emerton family. As a 2 year old he was broken in and started on a cutting program. Murray Pullen bought Turbo aiming to finish his training, but Turbo didn’t seem to get along with his trainers. He was then used as a help horse for 3 years and eventually Aaron Wheately was asked to find a buyer for a nice quiet gelding. Anyone who knows Turbo now, knows him as a big gentle softy and it’s hard to imagine he used to strike out, which is how he got his name.

When she first saw Turbo at Aarons, Sarah Greur fell instantly in love with him and bought the then rising 5 year old. Aaron put him into his training program and in less than 12 months Sarah took Turbo to his first show at Maryborough where he marked a 72 for a place in his first ever run. Sarah then took Turbo to the Non Pro Classic Challenge’s at Toowoomba and Goondiwindi and the pair went from there showing solidly for the next 12 months.

By this time Aaron was busy showing clients horses, but Jonathan Dudley had seen the horse and the pair formed an instant bond. Sarah asked Jonathan to show Turbo in some open shows and the pair went on to final in all three Classic Challenge’s at Toowoomba, Goondiwindi and Victoria, coming Reserve Champion at Toowoomba. Shortly after this Sarah went to the USA to represent Australia in the Non Pro Team and while away Sarah and Aaron decided it was time to sell Turbo due to the number of horses they had in training. He him sold before Sarah got home.

Craig Sim of Goondiwindi was looking for his first solid cutting horse and trainer Joe Gibson picked Turbo out as an ideal candidate. Craig and Turbo were a wonderful combination from the start. Craig started placing immediately and within their first year together won 3 buckles, including the NCHA $3500 Non Pro Runner Up. Craig’s most memorable run with Turbo was in the Gold Cup Non Pro Open at Tamworth in February 2006 where the pair marked a 150 for second place behind One Hellofa Spin.

Turbo is renowned for his big sand-slinging stops. When he is at his best it is hard to take your eyes off him. Outside of the arena, Turbo loves a cuddle and is a real family horse, his biggest fan is Craig’s 6 year old son Harry who is quick to tell anyone “Turbo is really my horse but I let Daddy ride him”.

Story by Denise Ellis.

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