One of the most important lead-up races of the Melbourne Spring Carnival headlines proceedings at Flemington this Saturday, and the Neds form team has done the hard work with our 2026 Turnbull Stakes tips, predictions and favourites, breaking down the key contenders, market leaders and best betting opportunities in this year’s elite Group 1 feature.
The Group 1 $750,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) is once again shaping as a crucial spring form reference, with an outstanding field of weight-for-age performers, Cox Plate hopefuls and Melbourne Cup aspirants set to clash down the famous Flemington straight.
Defending champion Sir Delius heads the Turnbull Stakes betting odds as he chases consecutive victories in the race after an encouraging first-up performance in the Makybe Diva Stakes. The Waterhouse & Bott-trained star looks ideally suited getting back to 2000m and remains the horse to beat.
Chris Waller’s premier mare Aeliana sits prominently in the market after an eye-catching second-up effort behind Autumn Glow in Sydney, while in-form galloper Cosmic Crusader has attracted plenty of attention following another strong showing at Group 1 level through the Underwood Stakes.
Further depth comes from reigning Cups hero Half Yours, Naturalism Stakes winner Zahrann, emerging mare She’s A Hustler, and value contender Saint George, whose brave recent performances suggest he can measure up against the elite stayers this spring.
With proven Group 1 stars, established spring performers and genuine betting value spread throughout the field, this year’s Turnbull shapes as one of the standout wagering races of the Melbourne Spring Carnival.
Below you’ll find our full 2026 Turnbull Stakes preview, predictions and Same Race Multi selections.
2026 Turnbull Stakes Favourites & Best Bets
I’m happy to stay with reigning Turnbull Stakes winner SIR DELIUS (9), who looks primed to go back-to-back in Flemington’s premier weight-for-age feature.
The Waterhouse & Bott-trained six-year-old returned in excellent order when finishing an eye-catching fourth in the Makybe Diva Stakes, working home strongly after settling off a slow tempo.
That run should have him perfectly set to peak second-up, with the rise to 2000m a major advantage given his outstanding record at the trip.
Already established among the leading Cox Plate contenders, Sir Delius profiles as the class runner of the field and gets conditions to suit on Saturday.
With Craig Williams retaining the ride, a favourable draw and natural improvement to come, he ticks all the major boxes.
A victory would see Sir Delius become the first horse since the mighty Winx to win consecutive Turnbull Stakes, and if he reproduces his best weight-for-age form, he’ll take plenty of beating.
| 2. Sir Delius (9) J: Craig Williams 59kg 331×4 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott |
Looking beyond the favourite, AELIANA (2) profiles as the clear danger and shapes as one of the best each way plays in the race.
The Chris Waller-trained mare returned to form in style when flashing home for second behind Autumn Glow in the Group 2 7 Stakes at Randwick, a performance that suggested she’s ready to peak now stepping out to 2000m.
A proven elite-level stayer, Aeliana captured both the Ranvet Stakes and Tancred Stakes during the autumn and gets conditions to suit back over a distance where she does her best work.
The daughter of Castelvecchio also has a strong profile for this setup, reaching peak fitness third-up and drawing perfectly in barrier two with Damian Lane taking the ride.
Importantly, she has already shown she can lower the colours of Sir Delius over 2000m on rain-affected ground, adding further confidence if conditions soften.
With Waller chasing another Turnbull Stakes trophy and Aeliana set to get the ideal run throughout, she looks the runner most capable of upsetting the favourite and should be right in the finish.
| 5. Aeliana (2) J: Damian Lane 57kg 11×02 T: Chris Waller |
For punters chasing a bit of value, it’s hard to ignore SAINT GEORGE (12) at his current price.
The Ciaron Maher-trained grey has been one of the more underrated performers of the spring and his latest second in the Naturalism Stakes reads better the deeper you dig into the form.
After resuming with a dominant 2000m victory under 61.5kg, Saint George again showed plenty of grit when runner-up to stablemate Zahrann despite carrying more weight and doing plenty of work from the outside draw.
Under more favourable racing conditions, there’s every reason to think he can turn the tables or at least get much closer.
The son of Roaring Lion arrives race-fit, boasts a strong record at both Flemington and the distance, and looks capable of outperforming his market quote against some of the better-fancied runners.
If he reproduces his Naturalism effort, Saint George shapes as an excellent value play for exotics and a genuine top-four chance in the 2026 Turnbull Stakes.
| 13. Saint George (12) J: Michael Dee 55kg x4112 T: Ciaron Maher |
2026 Turnbull Stakes Same Race Multi Selections
- Top 3 – No. 2 Sir Delius
- Top 3 – No. 5 Aeliana
- Top 4 – No. 13 Saint George
Our Turnbull Same Race Multi is built around the proven class of SIR DELIUS (9), who looks set to run another big race second-up over his preferred 2000m after an encouraging return in the Makybe Diva Stakes. Defending champions boast an excellent record in this race and the Waterhouse & Bott star profiles as a rock-solid Top 3 play.
AELIANA (2) is included for a Top 3 finish after her strong closing effort in the 7 Stakes suggested she’s ready to peak third-up. The dual Group 1-winning mare gets her favoured trip, an ideal draw, and looks poised to be charging late.
Rounding out the multi is SAINT GEORGE (12) for a Top 4 finish. The Maher-trained grey has been racing in outstanding form this campaign and his brave Naturalism second under difficult conditions suggests he can again feature prominently at Flemington at attractive odds.
| 5. Aeliana (2) J: Damian Lane 57kg 11×02 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 2. Sir Delius (9) J: Craig Williams 59kg 331×4 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 13. Saint George (12) J: Michael Dee 55kg x4112 T: Ciaron Maher |
Latest Turnbull Stakes 2026 Odds
Turnbull Stakes 2026 Results
| 4. Cosmic Crusader (4) J: William Pike 58kg x1132 T: Andrea Leek | ||
| 3. Light Infantry Man (3) J: Harry Coffey 58kg 15×48 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 5. Aeliana (2) J: Damian Lane 57kg 11×02 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 2. Sir Delius (9) J: Craig Williams 59kg 331×4 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | ||
| 1. Half Yours (13) J: Jamie Melham 59kg 444×6 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | ||
| 8. Ohope Wins (5) J: Blake Shinn 56kg 41×09 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 12. She’s A Hustler (7) J: Jordan Childs 55kg 355×5 T: Grahame Begg | ||
| 9. Middle Earth (6) J: Mark Zahra 56kg 91×87 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 15. Kings Valley (10) J: Lachlan Neindorf 55kg 1×087 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 13. Saint George (12) J: Michael Dee 55kg x4112 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 7. Zahrann (1) J: Ethan Brown 56.5kg 53×41 T: Ciaron Maher | ||
| 11. Buckaroo (8) J: Jye Mcneil 55kg 25×55 T: Chris Waller | ||
| 6. Asterix (11) J: Ben Melham 56.5kg 61×53 T: Chris Waller |
Turnbull Stakes FAQs
The 2026 Turnbull Stakes is scheduled to run at 4:25pm (AEST) on Saturday, October 3, 2026, as Race 8 on the 10-race Turnbull Stakes Day program at Flemington.
The Turnbull Stakes is one of the premier form races of the Melbourne Spring Carnival, regularly attracting elite weight-for-age performers and serving as a proven guide to the Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.
The Turnbull Stakes is run over 2000m, a distance that provides an ideal test for horses stepping towards Australia’s biggest middle-distance and staying races later in the spring.
The Turnbull Stakes is held at Flemington Racecourse in Melbourne, Victoria, on the same famous track that hosts the Melbourne Cup each November.
The Turnbull Stakes carries Group 1 status, placing it among the highest-rated and most prestigious races on the Australian racing calendar.
The 2026 Turnbull Stakes prize purse is worth $750,000, with prize money distributed among the leading finishers and their connections.
No. The Turnbull Stakes is conducted under weight-for-age conditions, meaning horses carry a set weight based on their age and sex rather than a handicap rating.
The race generally accommodates up to 16 starters plus four emergencies, although the final field size depends on acceptances.
Yes. Nine horses have won the race more than once, with Winx famously taking out back-to-back editions in 2017 and 2018. Defending champion Sir Delius is chasing a rare consecutive Turnbull Stakes victory in 2026.
Lee Freedman holds the record with eight Turnbull Stakes winners, having prepared champions including Rising Fast, Super Impose, Let’s Elope, Doriemus, Northerly and Elvstroem.
Absolutely. Top performers in the Turnbull Stakes often progress to the Cox Plate, with recent star Via Sistina completing the Turnbull Stakes-Cox Plate double in 2024.
At the time of publication, reigning winner Sir Delius heads the 2026 Turnbull Stakes betting odds as he attempts to successfully defend his Flemington crown.
You’ll find the latest Turnbull Stakes tips, predictions, favourites, odds, market updates and Same Race Multi selections right here on the Neds Blog in the lead-up to race day.