Racing: Youngster impresses the maestro

Dylan Turner has only recently turned to riding over fences and is excited to get the opportunity today. Photo / Race Images

A call up from one of the country's premier trainers marks a significant step in the development of Dylan Turner's jumping career.

The 23-year-old has only recently turned to riding over fences and at Whanganui today his services have been claimed by local maestro Kevin Myers, who has booked him for Highly Likely in the Brian FM Maiden Hurdle.

"I was talking to him at Hastings after I finished third in the Wellington Hurdles on Thatz David and he thought I rode well and said he'd like me on one of his," Turner said.

"It's a starting point with one of the best so I'm very, very excited to get the opportunity. I've only had six jumping rides so far."

Turner, who has ridden 99 winners on the flat, will also be aboard the Dean Cunningham-trained The Fox in the Guthrie Bowron Open Steeplechase.

"I know he hasn't won a race since 2012, but he has been consistent and with three kilos off he'll only carry 62kg -- he hasn't carried that for a long, long time so he's going to really enjoy the weight relief," Turner said.

"I schooled him about a month and a half ago and I ride for Dean once a week and the horse has been working well."

Turner's flat rides include Agooddeal in the Property Brokers Compliance 1360 and Hey Mr Fox in the Cervus Equipment NZ Maiden 1600.

"On paper, Agooddeal is probably my best, but Hey Mr Fox is coming back to a mile and on his work he's a good chance," he said.

?Manhattan Flame has made a red hot start to his career despite having physical issues that at one stage had his trainer doubting the three-year-old's career would get off the ground.

The Hong Kong-owned galloper remained unbeaten in three appearances after a victory at New Plymouth last Sunday that followed a debut win at Woodville and success in between times at Pukekohe Park.

"He's got quite a bad club foot and we just manage it the best we can," Cambridge horseman Shane Crawford said. "Our farrier has done an amazing job with him.

"If you had asked me 12 months ago, I wouldn't have thought he would get to the races."

Manhattan Flame's performances have also been noted overseas.

"There has been interest in him from Hong Kong, but there's an obvious question mark whether he would pass a vet to go up there," Crawford said.

"If he stays, we'll possibly look at a race at Otaki for him in a month's time or there is another one at New Plymouth.

"He's all heart and while the tracks are the way they are we'll keep going. It's just about keeping him happy and he hasn't got a bad bone in his body."

Another three-year-old to have impressed Crawford is Beauty Day, although he won't race for the stable.

"He's going straight to Hong Kong -- I think he's possibly the best horse I've ever had," he said. "He was bought for 155,000 guineas [$285,000] and shipped down here and I broke him in."

By Footstepsinthesand, the Irish-bred brother to the Hong Kong group two winner and multiple group one placegetter Beauty Flame won his only trial outing at Cambridge in May.

- NZ Racing Desk