Flemington   04 Oct 2025
 
GOING: G(4)

TAB Turnbull Stakes 2000m

Track: GOOD 4   Clouds (Max: 24)   Rail: Out 9m Entire Circuit.  

Strong tempo likely with several going forward, headed by River Of Stars and Sir Delius. On to our excellent feature, the G1 Turnbull Stakes. VIA SISTINA (4) comes here off a near identical scenario to last year. She won the G1 Winx Stakes before being beaten in the G1 Makybe Diva, exploding here before the amazing Cox Plate win. The tempo in this year's Makybe Diva was beyond pedestrian and there wasn't much more she could do late. At her best, she's still the best horse in the land and the one to beat. SIR DELIUS (3) is the new kid on the block. The return was excellent and his stamina kicked in late to win the G1 Underwood Stakes after being headed by Buckaroo in the straight. Like 2000m on the big track for him but this is definitely harder. AELIANA (7) has been excellent in two runs back, edging Via home last time out. She gets 1.5kg off her and 2000m will only suit her better as well. Not risking ANTINO (1) who was out the back in the Makybe Diva and did more than enough off that pace. He can absolutely win. ZARDOZI (13) is the blowout with 53kg third up. SUGGESTED PLAY: Via Sistina to win.
1 11x54 ANTINO
TONY GOLLAN
7YO  BR/BL  GELDING 59.0KG
J Ramchandani
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 5th of 9 at Caulfield in the G1 Memsie on August 30 over 1400m, on a slow track; 4.5 len behind Treasurethe Moment with 59kg at $7.50. Second-up 4th in a small field at this track in the G1 Makybe Diva on September 13 over 1600m, 2 len behind Mr Brightside with 59kg at $7.50. Going better than it looks, genuine winning chance.
6
B SHINN
Pink And Blue Diagonal Stripes, Black Sleeves And Cap
2 8x395 LAND LEGEND
CHRIS WALLER
5YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 58.0KG
Legend Racing (Mgr: K K Ho)
Most recently 5th of 11 at Caulfield in the G1 Underwood on September 20 over 1800m, 4 len behind Sir Delius carrying 59kg at $71. The start before that got back early 9th of 12 at Randwick in the G2 Chelmsford on September 6 over 1600m, 7 len behind Lindermann with 59kg at $21. Building nicely but this isn't his race.
10
JYE MCNEIL
White, Red Epaulettes And Armbands, Red And White Striped Cap, Red Pom Pom
3 x1x21 SIR DELIUS
GAI WATERHOUSE & ADRIAN BOTT
4YO  BAY  HORSE 58.0KG
Go Bloodstock Australia (Mgr: Sir O G Glenn), A J N Brooks, P L Ward, GW Holdings (Mgr: G J Wilson), A Tzaneros, P I Sweeney, C Carracher, R I Goldbloom, J M Simmons, B J O'Brien, F W Cook, Mrs C M Cook & A J Luciano
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming came from midfield; 2nd of 12 at Randwick in the G2 Chelmsford on September 6 over 1600m, head behind Lindermann with 59kg at $5.50. Second run from a spell favourite; won by 0.5 len at Caulfield G1 Underwood September 20 over 1800m defeating Buckaroo with 59kg at $2.10. Exciting prospect who will take a power of beating.
14
CRAIG WILLIAMS
Yellow, White Checked Sash, Checked Sleeves And Cap
4 11x13 VIA SISTINA
CHRIS WALLER
7YO  BAY  MARE 57.0KG
Yu Long Investments (Mgr: Y Zhang)
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming favourite; won by a long-neck at Randwick G1 Winx Stks August 23 over 1400m on a heavy track defeating Aeliana with 57kg at $2.80. Second-up 3rd in a small field at this track in the G1 Makybe Diva on September 13 over 1600m, 2 len behind Mr Brightside with 57kg at $1.80. Champion mare who should explode out to 2000m.
1
JAMES MCDONALD
Bottle Green, White Checked Sleeves, White Cap
5 0x424 MOIRA
CHRIS WALLER
6YO  B/BR  MARE 56.0KG
Yu Long Investments (Mgr: Y Zhang)
At the latest run 4th of 11 at Caulfield in the G1 Underwood on September 20 over 1800m, 4 len behind Sir Delius carrying 57kg at $5. The run before that ran on from midfield; 2nd of 10 at Moonee Valley So You Think on September 6 over 1500m, long-neck behind Desert Lightning with 58kg at $3.80. Expected more last time, not sure.
11
B MELHAM
Bottle Green, White Checked Sleeves, White Cap
6 12151 HALF YOURS
TONY & CALVIN MCEVOY
5YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 56.0KG
Kildalton Park Racing (Mgr: D Gordon), J B Biasin, D J Canny, G M Fox, Mrs G M Smith, J M Simmons, N B Smith, P R Farley, S M George, Terrace No 3 (Mgr: R H Allert) & A Guoga
At the latest run favourite; scored a big 3.5 len win at Caulfield G3 Naturalism September 20 over 2000m defeating Berkshire Breeze with 54.5kg at $2.60. Before that made ground from midfield; 5th of 18 at Rosehill Bm100 on August 30 over 1500m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Estadio Mestalla with 57.5kg at $6. Dominant last time, this is a good test.
4
JAMIE MELHAM
Light Blue, Black Lightning Bolt, Sleeves And Cap
7 21x22 AELIANA
CHRIS WALLER
4YO  BAY  MARE 55.0KG
Star Thoroughbreds Pty Ltd, Boeara Holdings, Mrs A M Howlett, Mrs K A Pailthorpe, Felgate Holdings, Paramount Racing, R B T Aurisch, Mrs D M Handley, W A Smith, B K Hudson, EST J A Hudson & Forbson Group
Third-up today and placed third-up previously. Resuming 2nd of 11 at Randwick in the G1 Winx Stks on August 23 over 1400m, on a wet track; long-neck behind Via Sistina with 56.5kg at $6.50. Second-up 2nd in a small field at this track in the G1 Makybe Diva on September 13 over 1600m, 1.5 len behind Mr Brightside carrying 56.5kg at $5. Been excellent in two runs back, can win.
5
DAMIAN LANE
Purple, White Stars And Cap
8 78x63 YOUNG WERTHER
DANNY O'BRIEN
8YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
D T O'Brien, Mrs J O'Brien, B A Ainsworth, T H Rourke, J F Hardwick, A C Lennen, S W Bruhn, C Kopacz & R C Salter
Third-up today and placed third-up in the past. First-up eased back early on 6th of 10 at Moonee Valley 4yo+ Hcp on August 23 over 1523m, 5 len behind Hard To Cross with 58kg at $51. Second run from a spell made some head-way from midfield; 3rd of 16 at this track Hcp on September 13 over 1700m, long-neck behind Golden Path with 58kg at $13. Loves this race but hard to see him winning.
13
BILLY EGAN
Navy Blue, White Checked Sleeves And Cap
9 4x882 ADELAIDE RIVER
KRIS LEES
5YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
N C Williams, L J Williams, B Arnhold, Echo Beach Bloodstock (Mgr: Est A L Green), G Ryan, M Gudinski, M Symons, V Sammartino, Jacobsen Bloodstock Pty Ltd (Mgr: P N Jacobsen), J Hardwick, W McTaggart, D Evans, J A Ingham, Dr.B Hockings, R Morrison, B Goodman, E Throsby, T Harry, B Singer & P Mehrten
Dual acceptor. At the latest run held ground to the line 2nd of 14 at Randwick in the G3 King Town on September 20 over 2000m, nose behind Birdman carrying 56kg at $19. The start before that 8th of 12 at Randwick in the G2 Chelmsford on September 6 over 1600m, 6 len behind Lindermann with 59kg at $81. Needs easier.
9
MICHAEL DEE
Navy Blue, White Armbands And Cap
10 5x313 GOLDEN PATH
MICK PRICE & MICHAEL KENT JNR
6YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 55.0KG
C E Holt, M D Moncrieff, L R Matthews, J Dunsford, M Ahern, F Zantvoort, Treeman, P J Randles, E Campbell, D Anderson, T A Leo, S W Palmer, H M Bastone & Y Shen
Racing well recently. Last start held ground to the line 3rd of 11 at Caulfield in the G1 Underwood on September 20 over 1800m, 0.5 len behind Sir Delius carrying 59kg at $21. The run before that won by a long-neck at this track Hcp September 13 over 1700m defeating Kingswood carrying 61kg at $9.50. Going very well but it only gets harder.
3
JORDAN CHILDS
Royal Blue, Red Vee
11 59x50 MIDDLE EARTH
CIARON MAHER
5YO  BAY  GELDING 55.0KG
Madica, M Johnston, Deg Racing, Porter Pelchen Bloodstock Qatar Bloodstock Ltd, A Kheir, Sneesby Racing No Whip Required, B P Fisher, T A Ginnane, D J House, A S Ingersole, L H Mckenzie, G A McLaren, D J O'Connor, B L Shannon, P A Vawdrey, P G Walsh, Middle Earth & Ciaron Maher Racing
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 5th of 14 at Caulfield Qlty on August 30 over 2000m, on a slow track; 3 len behind Revelare carrying 62kg at $11. Second-up second last of 11 at Caulfield in the G1 Underwood on September 20 over 1800m, 5.5 len behind Sir Delius with 59kg at $26. Needs to show something.
7
M J ZAHRA
Royal Blue, Lime Green Stars, Multi Blue And Grey Checked Sleeves And Black And White Striped Cap
12 11x07 DEAKIN
PHILLIP STOKES
5YO  CHESTNUT  GELDING 55.0KG
OTI Deakin, Maughold Racing, C J Williams, A D Fong, R Menchise, Uthmeyer Racing, J P Spence, R Koch, T D Holland, R Hanmer, G W Guest, Dycer Racing, P Archer, L Webb, Ms D McKeown, J M Gurrieri, F One Racing, L H Mckenzie, The Albertross & J C Higgins
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming 12th of 14 at Caulfield Bm100 on August 30 over 1400m, slow going 9 len behind Sepals carrying 61.5kg at $41. Last start 7th of 16 at this track Hcp on September 13 over 1700m, 3 len behind Golden Path with 60.5kg at $21. This is a tune up.
12
D W STACKHOUSE
Navy Blue, Gold Hoops, White Sleeves And Cap
13 30x57 ZARDOZI
CIARON MAHER
5YO  BAY  MARE 53.0KG
Godolphin
Third-up today and won third-up in the past. Resuming got back early 5th of 10 at Moonee Valley So You Think on September 6 over 1500m, 4 len behind Desert Lightning with 55kg at $6.50. Second-up 7th of 11 at Caulfield in the G1 Underwood on September 20 over 1800m, 4 len behind Sir Delius carrying 57kg at $15. Gets in light and could be a blowout hope.
2
HARRY COFFEY
Royal Blue
14 73x78 RIVER OF STARS
CHRIS WALLER
6YO  BAY  MARE 53.0KG
Yu Long Investments (Mgr: Y Zhang)
Third-up today and won third-up previously. Resuming 7th of 15 at Caulfield in the LR Heatherlie Hcp on August 30 over 1700m, on a slow track; 9 len behind Too Darn Discreet carrying 58kg at $11. Last start 8th of 16 at Caulfield in the G3 Naturalism on September 20 over 2000m, 7 len behind Half Yours carrying 58kg at $19. Not yet.
8
BEAU MERTENS
Bottle Green, White Checked Sleeves, White Cap