We’re back to Flemington on Saturday, October 7th for a stunning edition of Turnbull Stakes Day!
Won by the likes of Hartnell, Winx, Verry Elleegant and Incentivise in recent years, the Turnbull Stakes has drawn a typically strong field, including international stars like Romantic Warrior and West Wind Blows.
There are ten winners to be found, and you can find all of my 2023 Turnbull Stakes Day Tips below.
HQ Tavern Sprint (1200m) – 12:25pm AEDT
Bews has hardly put a hoof wrong this time in, and he looms as the one to beat in the first on Turnbull Stakes Day.
The I Am Invincible gelding was a dominant winner at Sandown first-up in August, and he has since finished second in benchmark races at the midweeks and here at Flemington since.
He gets into this race well under Jamie Kah and I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish.
Suggested Bet: No. 15 Bews
Listed Maribyrnong Trial Stakes (1000m) – 12:55pm AEDT
Every horse than has accepted into the Maribyrnong Trial is on debut, and there is a case to be made for plenty of them.
I can’t find anything I’m particularly confident in, so I am happy to stay out of this one from a betting perspective, with a view towards something later in the season.
Suggested Bet: No Bet
Listed Super Impose Stakes (1800m) – 1:30pm AEDT
The Super Impose Stakes has been won by some good horses on their way to bigger and better things in previous seasons, and I think that Riff Rocket can join the winner’s list this year.
Riff Rocket struck in Class 1 company first-up this time in, but was denied by a smart Snowman in BM72 company at his latest.
Fitter third-up, out to the 1800m and back to three-year-olds company, I think he gets plenty of ticks this week.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Riff Rocket
Group 2 Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m) – 2:05pm AEDT
This looks to be an open edition of the Edward Manifold Stakes with plenty of winning chances engaged, and I thought that a horse like Dolphin Skin could have an impact with improvement.
The Telperion filly returned some stylish performances during her debut prep earlier this year, winning in Listed company over this route most notably.
She did only beat one runner home in the Jim Moloney at Caulfield first-up this time, but she was only three lengths behind the winner, and the conditions of this race are far more suitable for her.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Dolphin Skin
Group 2 Danehill Stakes (1100m) – 2:40pm AEDT
A good edition of the Danehill Stakes with some quality sprinters engaged, but Archo Nacho is going to be the one for me.
Archo Nacho has made only three appearances at the races since debuting, but he has more than stamped himself as a galloper to follow by winning twice, and only just missing on the other occasion.
His fresh run and win in the Listed Poseidon Stakes here first-up last month suggested he has returned a strong horse, and I think he’ll only improve further into this contest.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Archo Nacho
Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes (1400m) – 3:15pm AEDT
Princess Grace has opened a $1.60 favourite in Rose Of Kingston Stakes betting, and she will surely take a power of beating.
The seven-year-old mare picked off some lovely races over in the United States earlier in her career, and she has been excellent since arriving in Australia.
Having finished second in both the Winx Stakes and the Memsie Stakes at her first two runs back, she was last seen finishing fourth in the Makybe Diva, and I like that she’s dropping back to the 1400m this week.
I’m going to select her as the winner in a Same Race Multi and build out my bet further with Life Lessons running into the first three. At publish, that is up at odds of $4.60.
Same Race Multi selections:
- 3 Princess Grace (Win)
- No. 10 Life Lessons (Top 3)
Suggested Bet: Same Race Multi
Group 3 The Bart Cummings (2510m) – 3:50pm AEDT
Ballot-free entry into the Melbourne Cup goes on the line, and with a case to be made for plenty of them in The Bart Cummings field, I’m going to have a couple of bets.
The first, my on-topper, is First Immortal.
He was nothing short of outstanding on his way to a dominant win at Caulfield a fortnight ago, and he ended his last prep with consecutive wins here at HQ.
I also thought that Sheraz was a horse that could compete in a race like this one, and at publish, he’s up at odds of $27.
Sheraz has been a great horse for the Waller yard throughout his career, and he steps out this week third-up and with improved fitness. We can have an each way saver at the big price.
Suggested Bet: No. 18 First Immortal & No. 3 Sheraz
Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) – 4:25pm AEDT
Outstanding edition of the Turnbull Stakes, including rich international form lines and some of the best gallopers in Australasia.
I’ve put the star, Romantic Warrior on top, but you can find all of my thoughts and complete 2023 Turnbull Stakes Tips RIGHT HERE.
Suggested Bet: No. 1 Romantic Warrior
Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) – 5:05pm AEDT
Star Patrol has opened a pretty firm and understandable favourite in Gilgai Stakes betting.
The Starspangledbanner gelding has continued to improve with each preparation since joining Clinton McDonald’s stable, and he wasn’t out of his depth in Group 1 company last time in.
I thought that there was plenty to like about his fresh effort and win in the Bobbie Lewis Quality here first-up last month, and any improvement would see him into the finish again.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Star Patrol
Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m) – 5:40pm AEDT
He will need luck from the draw, but I thought that third-up from a spell, this looked a really nice race for Detonator Jack.
Detonator Jack was only half a length behind the winner at each of his first two runs back this time, including The Sofitel at this tack and trip, last time.
Fitter third-up, he might not be offered a better opportunity to strike in black type company.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Detonator Jack
