Spearheaded by president Rob Parsons and secretary Emma Gaffney, the acknowledgement of the Anzacs was both fitting and well-presented while the day’s racing produced some quality action and exciting finishes.

The qualifying heats of the Forbes Services Memorial Club Series were dominated by champion horseman Steve Turnbull who took out both races, giving him a very strong hand in this Sunday’s $12,240 final.

Turnbull opened his account in the Spirit of Anzac Forbes RSL Sub Branch – Heat One (2060m) when he caused a minor upset with The Space Invader which overpowered odds on favourite, The Only Child (Mat Rue).

The Space Invader didn’t show a lot of gate speed and found himself back at the tail of the field on settling down.

Turnbull appeared to be content in biding his time there until things started hotting up in the last lap and he made his winning move with 500 metres to run.

The Only Child was back with him early in the race but Mat Rue gained a trail into the race at the bell before dashing up to take the lead with 400 metres to run.

But it was evident on the home turn that The Space Invader was travelling better and he dashed past The Only Child in the run to the line to score by almost two metres.

Kyalla Teejay (Nathan Hurst) sat just off the pace and he finished third, well beaten by 12 metres.

Lexus On The Beach started at very short odds but never let his supporters down when he scored a comfortable three metre win in the Centenary of Gallipoli Diggers Cup – Heat Two (2060m).

Opposing drivers simply put up the white flag from the outset, allowing Lexus On The Beach to roll to the lead and then set a farcical pace which presented the race to Turnbull on a silver platter.

When Steve allowed the favourite more rein he simply went into cruise mode and was far superior, crossing the line with a lot in reserve.

Runner up, Go Lassie Go (Murray Sullivan) was first out of the gate but quickly took a trail on the winner while third placed The Matrix (Nathan Hurst) hugged the pegs all the way.

The successful combination of trainer, driver Andrew Cassell and his brother-in-law owner Geoff Cole were to the fore again at Forbes when Sitdown Sarah led throughout to win the Helloworld Forbes 3yo Pace (1680m).

Cassell was able to set a slow pace which aided Sitdown Sarah as she had a very slick 28.8 quarter left in her.

And she needed every second of it as the favourite for the race, Zodiac Dream (Steve Turnbull) made things very interesting on the line when he only failed by a head.

Turnbull had brought Zodiac Dream around the pack in a lightning move with 1000 metres to travel and despite death seating, he tried valiantly and was brave in defeat.

Edwardian (Wayne Honan) sat on the winner’s back and was doing his best work in the straight after getting clear of a pocket at the top of the lane.

Moorbel (near Canowindra) trainer Ken Rue was giving consistent mare, Zirconia her first start for his stable and he not only would have been pleased with her first up win but also the pearler of a drive that his son Mat produced on the four year old.

She drew barrier seven and was aided by a fast beginning from the horse drawn in barrier one.

But Rue junior was able to get away from the pegs in the first lap and he then chanced his arm by coming three wide to find himself outside the leader with a lap to run.

After a brief struggle, Zirconia gained the upper hand to score by three and a quarter metres over a very brave Lombo Assets (Tony Beath) which death seated and then led before fighting on like a caged lion all the way down to the line.

Spanish Lustre (Nathan Hurst) got home well for third after racing back near the tail of the field.

Tough as teak mare The Wifes Calling had class on her side which enabled her to outstay her rivals in the Clarrie and Valerie Robb Memorial (1680m) sponsored by Lachlan Valley Veterinary Clinic.

The Peter Bullock trained mare was a mile out of her ground just after the start but driver Murray Sullivan got her going and she caught up with the main division coming to the bell.

Sullivan then set her on a long and searching mission and he had to work hard on the ageing mare.

Slowly but surely The Wifes Calling  wore them down to score by two metres over Tulhurst Stacey (Nathan Hurst) which led and appeared to have every chance.

Mister Bo Woody (Wayne Honan) raced midfield and tracked into the race from the 500 metre mark, finishing his race off well to grab third, five metres in arrears. After a frustrating day of minor placings, Nathan Hurst finally cracked it for a win in the Pud Woods Memorial (1680m) with consistent gelding Tulhurst Jailbreak.

He led but was given no piece in front when Digger Shed and Jason Gaffney were taking no prisoners.

Once Digger Shed called it a day, Tulhurst Jailbreak was able to sneak away, pinching a winning break before holding on to score by a half neck.

Machbino (Anthony Frisby) made a wide run after the bell and made up plenty of ground to just miss while Quambys Ideal (Steve Turnbull) travelled well three back along the pegs before getting into the clear on the home turn and gobbling up the ground to finish third, just one and a half metres from the winner.

The attention now turns to this Sunday when the Forbes Carnival of Cups is sure to attract top fields with $63,000 in prizemoney on offer.