Turner powered his way to victory in the backmarkers’ 400m handicap at the City Oval.

And he left no doubt what the performance meant to him – clenching his fists as her crossed the line ahead of a quality field.

Running off the middle mark of 21m, he charged away over the last 100m from Chris Wilkinson (40m) and Luke Stevens, who ran a big race after starting behind scratch on -2m.

Turner had already shown himself to be a 400m specialist, winning the prestigious Back Opal at Bendigo last year.

WHILE Turner is only in the formative years of his athletic career, Les Williams turned back the clock by taking out the open 400m.

A veteran of more than 50 career wins, Williams even surprised himself by holding on from his out mark of 90m.

Williams could not shaking his head in disbelief as stood on top of the podium.

“I can’t believe it. It’s incredible,” he said.

SOPHIA Fighera turned in one of the performances of the carnival in capturing the womens 400m handicap.

The 20-year-old came off the back mark of 11m to run down Zoe Nicholso (40m) and Suz Sinclair (43m).

SOUTH Australian Brad Kitto won the feature distant event, the 1600m handicap.

A former strate hockey player, Kitto (95m) beat home Warrnambool’s Oscar Robinson (85m), with David Page (225m) third.