TURNBULL STAKES
* Group One, 2000m, $500,000, set-weights plus penalties, four-year-olds and upwards. Run at Flemington on Saturday, October 5, 4.25pm
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 with Group One status from 2006
BIGGEST NAMES TO WIN IT
* Winx (2017-18), Hartnell (2016), Green Moon (2012), Zipping (2010), Efficient (2009), Makybe Diva (2005), Northerly (2002), Sunline (2001), Doriemus (1996), Let’s Elope (1991), Better Loosen Up (1990), Super Impose ((1989), Vo Rogue (1987-88), Dulcify (1979), Galilee (1968)
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
* Winx won in 2017 and 2018 before going on to win the Cox Plate each year. Northerly won both races in 2002 as well as the Caulfield Cup
* Green Moon went on to win the Melbourne Cup in 2012 as did Let’s Elope who also won the Caulfield Cup
TALKING POINTS
* A new winner will be added to the honour role with Winx absent after winning the past two editions
* The field includes the current TAB favourites for the Melbourne Cup (Finche) and Caulfield Cup (Mr Quickie), and equal favourite for the Cox Plate (Mystic Journey)
* Mystic Journey will be tested at 2000m for the first time
* Hartnell is attempting a second win having scored in 2016
* Trainer Chris Waller has won three of the past four Turnbulls (Winx 2017-18, Preferment 2015) and has Finche and Kings Will Dream running this year
WHAT THE KEY PLAYERS ARE SAYING
“Even though I thought she ran super (in the Makybe Diva Stakes), I think this Saturday she’s going to be a lot better,” – Mystic Journey’s jockey Anthony Darmanin
“It’s a Group One and they are very hard to win but we’re happy with where we’re at and looking forward to Saturday,” – Mr Quickie’s trainer Phillip Stokes
“The Underwood was a race that was devoid of pace and pressure and he didn’t have a hard run. He finished it off well over the last half-mile, suggesting he was ready for a bit more ground,” – Trainer James Cummings on Hartnell
“He’s a trier and if some of them are off their game, or a doubt at the trip, he’ll be strong,” – Looks Like Elvis’ trainer Bryan Dais
“”Obviously if she doesn’t run a strong 2000 metres tomorrow she won’t be at the Cox Plate in three weeks time. We’ll re-assess” Mystic Journey’s trainer Adam Trinder
