Turnbull Stakes: Flemington 2000m
Race Overview
| date | Sat 05 Oct 2024 |
| track | Flemington |
| distance | 2000m |
| conditions | Set Weights and Penalties |
| status | Group 1 |
| prizemoney | $750,000 |
The Turnbull Stakes has traditionally been a fork-in-the-road race for aspirants heading toward the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups, and Cox Plate, and the catalogue of true champions to have won the race is as long as any in Australian racing. Since the turn of the century alone, we have seen genuine superstars like Verry Elleegant, Winx (twice), Makybe Diva, Elvestroem, Northerly and Sunline win the race, let alone half a dozen other truly outstanding horses. And the 80s and 90s was just outstanding, with winners like Vo Rogue, Super Impose, Better Loosen Up, Let’s Elope, Naturalism, All Our Mob and Doriemus saluting.
The day itself is often known as “moving day” given horses should be near enough to peaking in early October, and stamping their claim for spring riches over the next six weeks. Given how many different paths can be taken from the Turnbull, it is always a top notch form race that can be followed.
2023 TURNBULL STAKES PREVIEW
Romantic Warrior has done all of his racing in Hong Kong to this point of his career, winning three Group 1s among his 10 career wins. The best line on his form for racing in this country is the Queen Elizabeth Cup back in April, which he won as $1.60 favourite while leaving Dubai Honour two and a half lengths in arrears – that horse was coming off two Group 1 WFA wins by a combined seven lengths in Sydney, over the likes of Anamoe and company.
The other international runner, West Wind Blows, must be taken seriously as well. His credentials aren’t as pronounced as Romantic Warrior, but he does have very good 2000m-2400m form in Europe and the UK, and while he’s never one at Group 1 level, he’s been not far behind some serious horses over there.
Osipenko has been within a length or two of Mr Brightside, Alligator Blood and Fangirl at WFA in all three starts this campaign, and they are arguably our three best mile or mile and a quarter horses right now. He drops to 56kg’s here thanks to the set weights penalties format of the race, and can’t do anything but run well from a perfect draw.
His stablemate Soulcombe also has only 56kg’s, and his two runs this prep have been a sizzling win in the Heatherlie first-up, followed by another eye-catching effort when a fast-finishing fourth in the Underwood Stakes. He could go to another level out another 200m and at Flemington, which was the scene of his career-best win.
Selections: 1.Romantic Warrior 2.West Wind Blows 3.Osipenko 4.Soulcombe
Expert Tips
ROMANTIC WARRIOR
WIN
* Odds Correct At Time Of Posting. Check Playup Website For Latest Odds
Past Winners Of The Turnbull Stakes
| YEAR | HORSE | JOCKEY | TRAINERS |
|---|---|---|---|
| 2023 | Gold Trip | Mark Zahra | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace |
| 2022 | Smokin' Romans | Ethan Brown | Ciaron Maher & David Eustace |
| 2021 | Incentivize | Brett Prebble | Peter Moody |
| 2020 | Verry Elleegant | Mark Zahra | Chris Waller |
| 2019 | Kings Will Dream | Jye McNeil | Chris Waller |
| 2018 | Winx | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller |
| 2017 | Winx | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller |
| 2016 | Hartnell | James McDonald | John O'Shea |
| 2015 | Preferment | Hugh Bowman | Chris Waller |
| 2014 | Lucia Valentina | Kerrin McEvoy | Kris Lees |
| 2013 | Happy Trails | Dwayne Dunn | Paul Beshara |
| 2012 | Green Moon | Craig Williams | Robert Hickmott |
| 2011 | December Draw | Michael Rodd | Mark Kavanagh |
| 2010 | Zipping | Nick Hall | Robert Hickmott |