The feature race at Flemington this Saturday is the Turnbull Stakes (2000m), where star Mares Via Sistina and Aeliana are the market leaders.
Down below is a speed map, runner preview and $100 betting strategy for the 2025 Turnbull Stakes.
2025 Turnbull Stakes Runner Preview:
1. Antino: I just don’t get the love for this horse. He has been dominant in a couple of major wins. But, those wins were against the B/C Graders. He has yet to fire in A grade and I don’t see enough in his runs this prep to say that wil change.
2. Land Legend: Land Legend looks right on track. He was another that didn’t appear 100% around Caulfield in the Underwood but was a real eye catcher late, closing with real purpose. Gets to 2000m, big track and has a sense of timing with an eye towards the Cups.
3. Sir Delius: Has eyes on the first Tuesday in November. But, he is very good. I am not sure if he won the Underwood, or more so that Buckaroo just ran out of petrol tickets. The draw is tricky, but he’ll press forward and I think he’ll love getting to Flemington.
4. Via Sistina: Via Sistina won this race last year and is on track to repeat the dose. The Makybe Diva was embarrassing re race shape so just forget she went around. She actually picked up late and was pretty good to/through the line. 2000m, runs on the board, class…has to be respected.
5. Moira: I was hot on her…but it’s died down. Has had every chance her past two and I can’t entertain her.
6. Half Yours: Spanked them in the Naturalism but beat up nothing. Caulfield Cup is his goal and I don’t see him as good enough to trouble this lot.
7. Aeliana: Aeliana gets her chance. Just missed in the Winx Stakes before going to the Makybe Diva where she was one of the first off the bit when Mr Brightside dashed but she kept on and was really good in defeat. 2000m, hard fit now…she runs very well.
8. Young Werther: Been a ripper horse for a number of years but just don’t think he is up to these.
9. Adelaide River: Would have been a live chance in The Metropolitan, a weak race, but instead runs here…strange move. Pass.
10. Golden Path: He was outstanding in the Underwood Stakes. If indeed he gets front end control, I think he’s in the mix as a knockout hope.
11. Middle Earth: Didn’t really fire in the Underwood but 1800m and second up, he raced a touch flat. Hard fit now and 2000m, Flemington, I think he’s a big, big improver.
12. Deakin: Sneaky flying this guy and is on track for the first Tuesday in November.
13. Zardozi: Zardozi loves racing at Flemington and is getting towards peak fitness so rising to 2000m here should suit her. She comes through the Underwood wher she wasn’t 100% happy around Caulfield but liked the way she closed off. 2000m, bigger track, her best is certainly good enough to threaten.
14. River Of Stars: Ambulance will beat her home.
2025 Turnbull Stakes Field
| No | Horse | Trainer | Jockey | Barrier | Weight |
|---|---|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | ANTINO (NZ) | Tony Gollan | Blake Shinn | 6 | 59kg |
| 2 | LAND LEGEND (FR) | Chris Waller | Jye McNeil | 10 | 58kg |
| 3 | SIR DELIUS (GB) | Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | Craig Williams | 14 | 58kg |
| 4 | VIA SISTINA (IRE) | Chris Waller | James McDonald | 1 | 57kg |
| 5 | MOIRA (CAN) | Chris Waller | Ben Melham | 11 | 56kg |
| 6 | HALF YOURS | Tony & Calvin McEvoy | Ms Jamie Melham | 4 | 56kg |
| 7 | AELIANA (NZ) | Chris Waller | Damian Lane | 5 | 55kg |
| 8 | YOUNG WERTHER (NZ) | Danny O’Brien | Billy Egan | 13 | 55kg |
| 9 | ADELAIDE RIVER (IRE) | Kris Lees | Michael Dee | 9 | 55kg |
| 10 | GOLDEN PATH (NZ) | Mick Price & Michael Kent (Jnr) | Jordan Childs | 3 | 55kg |
| 11 | MIDDLE EARTH (GB) | Ciaron Maher | Mark Zahra | 7 | 55kg |
| 12 | DEAKIN (FR) | Phillip Stokes | Daniel Stackhouse | 12 | 55kg |
| 13 | ZARDOZI | Ciaron Maher | Harry Coffey | 2 | 53kg |
| 14 | RIVER OF STARS (IRE) | Chris Waller | Beau Mertens | 8 | 53kg |
2025 Turnbull Stakes Odds
2025 Turnbull Stakes $100 Betting Strategy:
$50 Win on both Aeliana and Via Sistina Top Fluc
Group 1 Strategy Outlay: $800
Group 1 Strategy Return: $605
2025 Turnbull Stakes Speed Map
I can’t see much early pressure outside Golden Path, who could well get front end control. Maybe Sir Delius can come across? Young Werther perhaps? Not sure, outside Golden Path.
