We’re back racing at Flemington on Saturday, where the time-honoured Group 1 Turnbull Stakes headlines the program.
The $750,000 feature between the stayers shapes as one of the highlight races of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, as last year’s winner Sir Delius looks to improve on his way to a potential Cox Plate tilt.
Elsewhere on the program, the Melbourne Cup continues to take shape with ballot exemption up for grabs in the Bart Cummings.
Punters would do well to keep an eye on the weather with rain forecast on Thursday and Friday, as well as up to 20mm forecast on Saturday.
If you’re searching for some form analysis on all the key runners ahead of 2026 Turnbull Stakes Day, you’ve come to the right place! Check out our complete Flemington Preview below.
ANKAA (1) is a two-year-old colt to Anamoe on debut for the McEvoy stable.
He’s had two jump outs leading into his first start, the latest coming down the straight here at Headquarters where he found the box seat early and exploded with a well-timed run to score.
Gets Harry Coffey in the saddle and barrier 5 should afford the pair plenty of running room when it counts.
| 1. Ankaa (5) J: Harry Coffey 58kg T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Colt by Anamoe making his first appearance. Won a Flemington jump-out on September 24. Should be ready to run well. | |||
ESMAHLI (13) should have his fair share of admirers second-up for the Hayes boys.
This son to Blue Point bolted in for a narrow second to Saturday’s rival Cabriole on the Heath track at Caulfield fresh, looming large down the outside and rattling off some slick splits between the 400-200m mark.
The gate might make this a touch tricky, but his wet track form is worth noting with Michael Dee also dropping 2kg to retain the ride.
| 13. Esmahli (12) J: Michael Dee 57.5kg 117×2 T: Ben, Will & Jd Hayes | |||
| Second run back. First-up after seven months 2nd of 10 in a Bm78 at Caulfield Heath on September 16 over 1000m, long-neck behind Cabriole carrying 59.5kg at $13. Previously second-up 3rd of 12 in a Cg&E Bm62 at Mornington on November 27 over 1200m, 2.25 len behind Rosa Aotearoa carrying 59kg at $3.40. Lovely return and should be hard to hold out. | |||
LEPOLO (2) is back off a four-week break.
The colt to Written Tycoon made it two-from-two at Sandown last month, winning by 3.5 lengths over 1500m. He blew the start badly that day and was forced to make up enormous ground midway through.
Harry Coffey gave him a great ride that day and pilots again from the inside barrier. With another wet track expected and the longer trip looking like it will suit, I’m keen to stick with him.
| 2. Lepolo (1) J: Harry Coffey 57.5kg 11 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Puts an unbeaten record on the line. When well in the market on debut, scored a big 3.5 len win in a 3yo Mdn-Sw at Ballarat Synthetic on August 6 over 1400m defeating Corretto with 58kg at $2. Last start was well back until straightening; raced back then made ground from the turn; scored a big 3.5 len win in a 3yo Hcp at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1500m on a soft track defeating Cignetti with 56.5kg at $3.40. Big win last time and can solidify Derby favouritism. | |||
PROFLIGATE (3) gets her chance now over longer in the 2026 Edward Manifold Stakes.
This is her first look at the mile, but there was a lot to like about the way Grahame Begg’s filly charged home late in the Thousand Guineas Prelude two weeks ago for third, working her way home nicely from back off the speed.
Doubtful she’ll appreciate a truly wet track, particularly from an awkward gate. But with only 56kg on her back again under Jordan Childs, she should prove hard to hold out with growing fitness on her side.
| 3. Profligate (7) J: Jordan Childs 56kg 12×43 T: Grahame Begg | |||
| Third-up today. First-up 4th of 11 in the LR Atlantic Jewel Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1300m, on a slow track; 5 len behind Pretty Baby with 56kg at $19. Second run from a spell made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 10 in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on September 19 over 1400m, 2 len behind Icelady with 56kg at $3.60. Sets up much better to a mile on the big track. | |||
ASTRAL FLAME (12) ticks a few important boxes on return in a tricky edition of the Rose Of Kingston Stakes.
She’s yet to miss the money from three starts first-up and was last seen finishing only three lengths off Al Duca in a similar Stakes race over the mile at Caulfield.
Dare say 1400m is well short of her best at this stage of her prep, but she goes well on wet going and has looked sharp in a pair of recent trials leading in.
| 12. Astral Flame (4) J: Michael Dee 55kg 1124x T: Enver Jusufovic | |||
| Is first-up after a break of six months and has been in the money when fresh before. Finished off last preparation fourth of 13 at Caulfield in the LR Anniv Vase April 11 over 1600m, soft track; 3 len behind Al Duca carrying 54kg at $9. When resuming last campaign third of 11 at Seymour Bm62 September 11 2025 over 1200m, soft track; 0.7 len behind Bardia’s Dream with 60kg at $1.85. Handy mare who should run well on speed. | |||
Happy to give OVER EXCITED (11) another look here third-up in the Danehill Stakes 2026.
She was thrown in the deep end down the Straight Six here in the Group 3 D’Antibes Stakes a couple of weeks ago, finishing within half a length of the fast-finishing Satono Glow.
Love the way she stuck on and saved her best for the final 100m or so, an encouraging effort at settling up close to the speed in the early stages.
With 1kg off and a much softer gate at her disposal, she should be going close.
| 11. Over Excited (4) J: Ethan Brown 55kg 12 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Had two starts to date. When well in the market at debut, favourite; won by 1.75 len in a 3yo F Mdn-Sw at Geelong on August 28 over 1147m on a soft track defeating Icelady carrying 57kg at $3.30. Last start 2nd of 13 in the G3 Cap D’Antibes Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1100m, 0.5 len behind Satono Glow carrying 56kg at $3.10. Just edged out here last time – she’s a good filly. | |||
AETHELWULF (9) has clear Melbourne Cup ambitions and is the rightful favourite in the Bart Cummings.
It’s hard to read too much into his Newcastle Cup win last start against a fairly weak field, but in saying that, he did break a 25-year track record to also record his fourth win on the trot.
Third-up now, he looks primed and ready for the rise to 2500m as he maps to roll straight to the front and set what appears to be a hot tempo.
| 9. Aethelwulf (8) Scratched: | |||
SIR DELIUS (2) is one of the toughest to beat coming off a nice leadup run for fourth in the Makybe Diva Stakes first-up.
The Frankel entire found a stalking position early despite being caught three-wide into the straight, finishing fairly in the end to just miss out on a placing under Craig Williams.
The pair combine again on Saturday from another tricky gate, but as we saw at Randwick over the autumn in the Queen Elizabeth, this guy will absolutely love the rise to 2000m.
With a more even tempo this time and the Cox Plate also in his sights, he’ll be incredibly tough to run down from another forward showing.
| 2. Sir Delius (9) J: Craig Williams 59kg 331×4 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months 4th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1600m, 4 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 59kg at $5. Previously second-up eased back early on 3rd in a small field in the G1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 2000m, slow going 1.1 len behind Aeliana with 59kg at $3. Did more than enough fresh, he’ll improve again but his best would win. | |||
SKYBIRD (15) is second-up for Mitch Freedman in the Gilgai Stakes field.
The mare to Exopshere went around in the Moir Stakes fresh at Sandown a month ago where she was beaten just over three lengths, an encouraging effort given she only warmed to the task over the final furlong or so.
Her second-up record reads just as well as her form over 1200m, while she’s also handled some sting out of the track in the past.
In with 1.5kg off under Ben Melham and looking to add to some solid performances here at Headquarters, she looks very dangerous.
| 15. Skybird (5) J: Ben Melham 55kg 070×6 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 6th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $15. Previously second-up 3rd of 9 in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Joliestar with 56.5kg at $41. Gets her ground and is exceptionally placed on best form. | |||
STEPARTY (3) can make full use of a soft gate and land somewhere just off the speed.
Paul Preusker’s six-year-old resumes on the back of two likable jump out wins, with his last run coming in the Doncaster Mile at Randwick over the autumn where he looked like a tired horse after running Top 5 in the All-Star Mile prior.
His fresh record reads very well for this, and he’s typically done some of his best racing here at Flemington. A three-time winner over 1400m, this trip looks right in his wheelhouse with John Allen responsible for multiple wins in the saddle.
| 3. Steparty (4) Scratched: | |||
