A rundown of Flemington’s Turnbull Stakes
THE TURNBULL STAKES – EVERYTHING YOU NEED TO KNOW
* Group One, 2000m, $500,000, set-weight, four-year-olds upwards. Run at Flemington on Saturday, October 7, 3.15pm
HISTORY
* First run as the Royal Park Stakes in 1865 and won by The Sign
* Renamed multiple times, earning its current name in 1948 after then-VRC chairman Richard Turnbull
* Became a 2000m race in 1972, and a Group One from 2006
BIGGEST NAMES TO WIN IT
* Hartnell (2016), Preferment (2015), Green Moon (2012), Zipping (2010), Efficient (2009), Makybe Diva (2005), Northerly (2002), and Sunline (2001), Doriemus (1996), Let’s Elope (1991), Better Loosen Up (1990), Super Impose ((1989), Vo Rogue (1987-88), Dulcify (1979), Galilee (1968)
TALKING POINTS
* The inclusion of mighty mare Winx depleted Turnbull nominations, which were extended after only 11 entries
* Seven horses have been accepted including Winx, dual Group One winner Humidor, and $301 chances Skyfire and Magicool
* Prizes are paid to eighth place so Skyfire and Magicool will score a minimum $10,000 despite being low-rated
* A victory in the Turnbull Stakes for Winx would extend her winning streak to 21
HISTORY SAYS
* Let’s Elope, Sky Heights, Northerly and Elvstroem all won the Turnbull Stakes then the Caulfield Cup (2400m)
* It can also be a warm-up to the Cox Plate (2040m) and Melbourne Cup (3200m), with Makybe Diva running in the Turnbull before her three straight Cup wins, claiming one Cox Plate victory in between
KEY QUOTES
* “I don’t know what her best distance is, but you don’t over-analyse things with Winx. The beauty of Winx is not that she’s fast, not that she’s brilliant, it’s simply she adapts to different scenarios” – Winx’s trainer Chris Waller
* “There is expectation that she will win and I’m like everyone else, I can’t ignore that. It’s certainly added more spice to the process” – Winx’s regular jockey Hugh Bowman
* “He’s in good order. It’s not ideal racing her but you can’t be put off by one horse” – Humidor’s trainer Darren Weir
* “It’s not an embarrassment factor for me. We’re going for a kick around. He’s not going to earn any money sitting at home in his stable over the weekend.” – Skyfire’s trainer Amy Johnston