Spring’s elite are ready to light up Flemington this Saturday for Turnbull Stakes Day, and the stage is set for a blockbuster.
The Turnbull Stakes takes centre stage on a ten-race card packed with quality, as Group 1 contenders lock horns over 2000m in a race that’ll send shockwaves through the Caulfield Cup and Ladbrokes Cox Plate markets.
It’s a program dripping in black-type brilliance, featuring nine stakes races including the Gilgai, Danehill, and Edward Manifold Stakes.
The Maribyrnong Trial Stakes gives us our first look at Victoria’s fresh crop of two-year-olds, adding another layer of excitement to an already electric meeting.
With carnival clues scattered across the card, it’s time to roll up the sleeves and dive into the form—let’s find some winners!
SHE’S AN ARTIST (12) didn’t quite fire first-up over 1100m here, but post-race vet checks revealed poor recovery, so she’s entitled to another chance.
Despite that, it was a solid effort from the Ciaron Maher-trained mare—she rolled forward, led, and was only grabbed late, finishing 2.56 lengths fourth.
She’ll take improvement from that and was dominant second-up last prep, winning over this track and trip by 3.8 lengths.
Blake Shinn takes over from Craig Williams and should give her every opportunity, especially if the outside lanes are in play.
Sabrina was my original pick, but with her scratched, I’m happy to land on her stablemate ONE DAY AT A TIME (9) instead.
Trained by Tony & Calvin McEvoy, this daughter of Bivouac is another debutant and her jump out profile is strikingly similar to Sabrina’s.
She sat off Sabrina in her first jump out and was only just edged out late.
Her most recent effort down the Flemington straight was impressive — she jumped well, travelled sweetly, and when asked for a little more, she quickened smartly and put a gap on them.
OPTIONS (4) should be undefeated heading into this race if not for paying the price for the rail out so far here last start.
The Godolphin-owned Impending colt won by half a length on debut at Echuca before making short work of the heavy conditions at Bendigo second-up where he bolted in by 3.8 lengths.
Last start he loomed ominously in the Victoria Derby Preview over this course and distance but with the rail out so far, he was involved in a bumping duel that saw his back legs knocked out but to his credit he fought back to finish third by a head.
He’s at peak fitness now.
ZANY GIRL (2) looks well placed stepping up to the mile for the first time.
The daughter of Needs Further won first-up, then had no luck when full of running in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes at The Valley second-up.
Last start in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes at Caulfield, she settled a long last and was forced to make a wide, sustained run but still hit the line strongly to finish third, less than a length off Yum.
She’s at peak fitness now and maps to get a softer run from the inside draw with Craig Williams aboard.
ON DISPLAY (4) showed her class at the end of last prep with a dominant 2.3 length win in the Adelaide Guineas.
She looked ready to fire fresh after two jump outs, and delivered over 1400m at Caulfield with a strong 1.3 length win.
Last start in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes, she was charging along the fence but had nowhere to go, ultimately dropping out to finish near the tail.
It was a complete forgive run, and she can bounce back third-up in the Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes with added fitness.
LEGACY BOUND (4) returned in terrific order last start and looks well placed to keep the unbeaten streak alive.
The Robbie Griffiths-trained gelding showed real grit in the Listed Poseidon Stakes, fighting back after being headed to win by a nose.
There was plenty of merit in the performance, and he’ll only improve with that run under the belt.
He won the Group 3 Breeders’ Stakes by 2.8 lengths when second-up last prep and looks set to lead this field.
If he gets control, he’ll be mighty hard to run down.
GILDED WATER (15) resumed over 1800m at Caulfield and stuck on well despite facing the breeze with 61.5kg, finishing third.
The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding, who races in the royal silks of His Majesty The King, was dominant last start when eased down to win by two lengths over 2000m.
He now steps up to 2520m and shapes as though he’ll relish the rise in trip.
His third-up record is strong and includes a 7.5 length win in the UK.
Drawn wide, but he has the tactical speed to roll forward and settle handy for Jamie Mott.
SIR DELIUS (3) made an immediate impact in Australia with a first-up win in the Group 3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap over 2000m at Doomben during the Winter Carnival.
He resumed in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes and turned heads with a strong closing second to Lindermann, beaten a head after racing wide throughout.
Last start he confirmed his class with a gutsy win in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes, overcoming a wide draw to charge home and score by a nose.
He’s drawn wide again, but Craig Williams can use his gate speed to slide across and find a prominent spot.
PAYLINE (12) will appreciate getting away from the tight-turning Moonee Valley circuit.
The Chris & Corey Munce-trained gelding hasn’t been comfortable in his past two runs but still managed to hit the line well, finishing 1.52 lengths fifth in the Group 1 Moir Stakes and 4.45 lengths sixth in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes.
He’s on the quick back-up, and knowing this stable, they wouldn’t be running him unless he was absolutely thriving.
He boasts a strong third-up record with two wins and two placings from four attempts.
Drawn ideally on the grandstand side, he should be able to stalk favourite War Machine and launch late.
SHADIZI (12) will take good improvement from his first-up run over 1200m at Randwick.
The Chris Waller-trained gelding settled a long last and charged home late, finishing 2.61 lengths seventh in a run full of promise.
The French import is a Stakes winner and will appreciate stepping up to 1400m second-up.
He’s already a three-length winner over this trip when second-up at Saint-Cloud in his second prep.
With just 54kg and a strong tempo expected, he can be launching late under Craig Williams.