There may be three Group 1 races at Royal Randwick on Saturday, but the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington is that one that everyone is hanging out for.
It’s always a quality contest that represents a key form indicator for the major races in October but this year, it’s all about Incentivise and Verry Elleegant locking horns for the first time in the Turnbull Stakes.
Who will reign supreme? Check out who I think it will be in the Turnbull Stakes Tips below.
Turnbull Stakes – Winner – No. 3 Incentivise
This is a toss of the coin in my opinion, but I saw enough from Incentivise first-up and over a trip that was short of his best to make me believe that he could go through the 2021 Spring Carnival undefeated.
The Shamus Award gelding took a few preps to really find his best but boy, is his best elite.
He put paid to them in every start he had in Queensland earlier this year, and while he was headed at the 300m in the Makybe Diva Stakes three weeks ago, he responded with a monumental kick to beat home a very good field.
I’m confident that run will have only brought him on, getting out to 2000m is obviously ideal and with a clear run to the lead, I can’t find a reason why he won’t be in the finish again.
Turnbull Stakes – 2nd – No. 4 Verry Elleegant
She’s probably the best horse currently going around in Australia, and she is a nine-time Group 1 winner, and Verry Elleegant could verry weellll defend her crown in the Turnbull Stakes.
The Zed mare has been a great horse since debuting, but like a fine wine, so only seems to get better with ago.
So far this time, she only just missed in the Winx Stakes before giving them a galloping lesson in the George Main, and she too will only be better for those runs and getting out to 2000m.
Turnbull Stakes – 3rd – No. 1 Sir Dragonet
Speaking of smart fresh performances, Sir Dragonet’s was nothing short of outstanding in the Makybe Diva, and he is a clear third pick for mine in Turnbull Stakes betting.
Last year’s Cox Plate champion took a few to get going in autumn, but he added the Tancred Stakes to his CV most notably, and was competitive around our best gallopers.
He let down with a very smart turn of foot here when fresh, and surprise, surprise, he too will love getting out to the 2000m.
Turnbull Stakes – 4th – No. 7 Persan
Little bit of a roughie, but I thought that Persan looked a touch of overs in Turnbull Stakes betting at odds of $31, and I think he can run a cheeky race.
He has been a model of consistent for Ciaron Maher & Dave Eustace throughout his career, and he capped an impressive 2020 campaign with an enormous run for fifth in the Melbourne Cup.
This is a decent rise in class from his resuming effort in a 1700m handicap here three weeks ago, but he has proven time and time again that he is up to the quality of races like this one, and he injects some real value into our Turnbull Stakes first four.
