In somewhat of a surprise, Smokin’ Romans confirmed the Naturalism win was no fluke with a Group l win in the Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington on Saturday.
Read on for the 2022 Turnbull Stakes Post Race Horse Ratings.
2022 Turnbull Stakes Replay
2022 Turnbull Stakes Post Race Horse Ratings
1.Smokin Romans: This is going to be a common thread in this review. They didn’t change position in the run and this guy with the turn of foot outside the speed was crucial in what was essentially a 2000m barrier trial. Well done to all concerned, he got the Group l win. But I would say he was gifted the race.
Rating: 8/10
2.Maximal: Had the box seat sit in the run and presented to win. Just lacked the race fitness to wear down Smokin Romans but the key for him is clearly dry ground. He races best on it.
Rating: 8/10
3.Young Werther: Dream run behind the tempo and in a sit/sprint, he was suited and stuck to the task pretty well in defeat to finish third. Got room for improvement so 2400m next time should see him fire.
Rating: 7/10
4.Knights Order: Lovely front running ride from Jordan Childs. Got absolute control in front and tried his guts out. If he gets a wet track on Caulfield Cup Day, I wouldn’t be shocked if he measured up.
Rating: 7/10
5.Gold Trip: I thought he was quite disappointing. Yes, the race shape wasn’t ideal, but he had a significant weight pull on the eventual winner and was comfortably held. For mine, jury is well and truly out.
Rating: 5/10
6.Luncies: Flattering run I thought. Did no work on the fence, tracked up and worked to the line well enough. Second up and better suited over further, so a tick there, but I’d say flattered by the race shape.
Rating: 6/10
7.Inspirational Girl: Sit/sprint is clearly not to her liking so really, I actually thought her run was quite good and for a mare being set for the Caulfield Cup, I think she’s on track big time.
Rating: 7/10
8.Duais: Glass half full with her. The Turnbull was 2.5 seconds slower than her Australian Cup win, so clearly she wasn’t suited at all and for a mare with the Cups as her aim, I wouldn’t be penning her.
Rating: 6/10
9.Profondo: He was trucking in the run behind them but just couldn’t get any chance to build the revs. Seemed to love racing on dry ground, so I’d want to see him again before penning him.
Rating: 5/10
10.Great House: I think he’s ticking along beautifully for the Caulfield Cup. Back last in a trial, he was never a factor, but his last 150m-200m was very good. He’s flying and is a key player for the Cups.
Rating: 6/10
11: Surefire: Rinse and repeat Great House. No chance with the way the track played but his finale was excellent. Dry ground is key so I won’t be dismissing him from a Caulfield Cup perspective.
Rating: 6/10
12: Chapada: Wasn’t suited by the race shape but that said, he was never a factor and isn’t up to this level.
Rating: 2/10
13: Milford: Thrown in the deep end here and couldn’t fire. Needs it much easier than this, even allowing for the barrier trial speed.
Rating: 2/10
14: Crystal Pegasus: Forget he went around. Race shape didn’t suited him at all but that said, he was still pretty plain late.
Rating: 2/10
15. Hezashocka: Throw at the stumps at Group l level and he didn’t measure up, with the tempo working against him. He’s more of a country cup horse.
Rating: 2/10
