Turnbull Stakes – 2020

Track: Good   Weather: Fine

There is a field of 15 runners for the $500,000 Turnbull Stakes and six of them had their last start in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m on 12 September. The early favourite is five-year-old mare Verry Elleegant who won the Group 1 Winx Stakes when resuming then ran 4th in the Group 1 George Main Stakes over 1600m on 19 September. Second favourite is Surprise Baby who was 5th in the Melbourne Cup last year and resumed for a close 2nd in the G2 Feehan Stakes over 1600m. Third favourite is Superstorm who was badly held up when 3.2 lengths 12th in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last outing.

Master Of Wine finished 4th in the Makybe Diva.  Finche resumed for 3rd in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes. King Of Leogrance is the only runner having his first-up run for this campaign. Kings Will Dream was 10th in the Makybe Diva and has a win at this track and distance, while Dalasan finished 5th in that race. Django Freeman ran 2nd over 1700m at Flemington last start.  All other runners are currently 20 to 1 or longer.

1. Vow And Declare

He won the Melbourne Cup last year and resumed for 9th in the Makybe Diva Stakes. He should improve second-up.

2. Kings Will Dream

Was 10th in the Makybe Diva and has a win at this track and distance

3. Surprise Baby

This six-year-old Shocking gelding was 5th in the Melbourne Cup last year and resumed for a close 2nd in the G2 Feehan Stakes over 1600m. He looks to be one of the main chances.

4. Warning

He has two wins at this track and resumed for 7th in the Makybe Diva.

5. Dalasan

He finished 1.9lengths 5th in the Makybe Diva and could run well.

6. Master Of Wine

Finished 4th in the Makybe Diva and has a good record at this distance.

7. King Of Leogrance

The only runner having his first-up run for this campaign but has always been in the first three home when first-up.

8. Aktau

This imported gelding has won three of his six Ausralian starts, but in much weaker company.

9. Verry Elleegant

Won the Group 1 Winx Stakes when resuming then ran 4th in the Group 1 George Main Stakes over 1600m on 19 September. She is a top quality mare and should fight out the finish.

10. Oceanex

She has been been well beaten in both runs this preparation. Looking elsewhere.

11. Harlem

This nine-year-old is the oldest runner in the race and finished 6th in the Makybe Diva.

12. Finche

Resumed for 3rd in the G2 Chelmsford Stakes after running 7th in the Melbourne Cup last year. One of the chances.

13. Django Freeman

He has been placed in all three Ausdtralian starts and ran 2nd over 1700m at Flemington last start. This is a big rise in class.

14. Superstorm

This Western Austrlain runner was badly held up when 3.2 lengths 12th in the Sir Rupert Clarke Stakes last outing. Looks a chance with the nice light weight.

15. Toffee Tongue

She won the Group 1 Scweppes Oaks over 2000m back in May and hasn’t been far from the winner in two runs this preparation. Not the worst.

The following are the top 4 selections for this years race.

Jo’s Tips
9 Verry Elleegant
3 Surprise Baby
12 Finche
14 Superstorm

Result	Horse	Margin
1st	9. Verry Elleegant
2nd	15. Toffee Tongue	0.1 length
3rd	12. Finche	0.2 length
4th	5. Dalasan	0.4 length

The track was rated as Good 3.

There were no scratchings.