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By Tony Megahey

Bargain buy Touch of Navy has been a revelation for battling four-horse Hunter Valley trainer John Bannister as he attempts a winning treble into Friday’s Scone TAB meeting with bigger occasions planned.

Discarded after winning a modest Geelong maiden by Team Price & Kent mid-last year, Touch of Navy has now won four races for Bannister.

This, along with three placings and the momentum of Muswellbrook and Dubbo wins into Friday's Scone Coolmore BM 82 (1600m) having cost just $25,000.

“Just been enormous for us, but right now I’m looking for a capable apprentice for relief off that 61.5kg - he’s had as much as 64kg,” offered Bannister.

The trainer puts in long hours of time and travel from his Leconfield farm near Branxton to train at Newcastle.

Bannister is on the road at 2:30 am to make sure he gets a track work rider for his small team before they commit to the bigger stables. “Shane Arnold is my regular work rider around the 61kg, but this horse has been too good to us, we’ve got to look after him with weight relief. “Shane reckons no matter the 61.5kg he’ll win anyway. “But you’ve got to do what’s best for the horse. “Just so tough and genuine.
“I’d also nommed for Newcastle on Thursday and the Moree Cup on Sunday, but they’re a lot tougher races, he’s far better placed in this and I want to get him out to a mile off 1300m and 1400m wins for stronger races. “Connections are keen to try and qualify him for The Big Dance through the Dubbo Cup late September (1600m). That’s always a hot country race, I haven’t had him out to a mile, but I’ve got no doubt whatsoever he’ll run it.” Touch of Navy offers by far the best form in Friday’s race as most rivals have been unplaced of late and also rare recent wins. “He’s won three of his past four and never on the track in the other one.”
The extra distance nor a wide barrier (10) is of no concern for ten-year-trainer Bannister and the star of his small team. Touch of Navy led and rallied strongly to win the 1400m Dubbo Cup Prelude recently. His breeding supports further by Merchant Navy and his dam (Epitomise) a More than Ready protege. The profile Victorian team didn’t consider the now five-year-gelding city grade but four wins and three placings for Bannister and connections and he’s paid his way spectacularly three-fold with over $70,000 for them. At present Scone is a soft five in fine weather. Warwick Farm’s Matthew Smith has numbers and strong form throughout.