Trainer Danny O’Brien to give Young Werther a third crack at Group 1 Turnbull Stakes

Young Werther has banked a huge amount of prizemoney despite not winning a Group 1 but trainer Danny O’Brien says his charge is in great shape to change that fact in the Turnbull Stakes.

Young Werther will be on trial for a Caulfield Cup start in Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

In golfing terms, Turnbull Stakes day is “moving day” for spring contenders.

Caulfield Cup, Melbourne Cup and Cox Plate hopes will rise or fall while serious players will emerge on the Derby, Oaks and Coolmore Stud Stakes landscapes at Flemington on Saturday.

But the Turnbull Stakes will also present Danny O’Brien with a chance to notch a deserved Group 1 win with Young Werther.

Young Werther has earned more than $2.1m without cracking it for a Group 1 win with the seven-year-old posting five minor placings at the highest level.

Two of Young Werther’s Group 1 placings have been in previous editions of the Turnbull Stakes.

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The son of Tavistock finished second to the rampant Incentivise in 2021 and third to the shock winner Smokin’ Romans in 2022.

Young Werther tackled the $2m Hill Stakes in Sydney on Turnbull Stakes day last year but O’Brien said the honest performer has never been in better shape for his latest shot at the $750,000 contest.

Young Werther will return to Flemington for his third crack at the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes on Saturday. Picture: Racing Photos via Getty Images

“Since he went to Queensland in 2023, he’s really gone to another level physically so he’s never presented in better shape than what he will present in on Saturday,” O’Brien said.

“He’s got a very good record at 2000m at Flemington.

“As well as the Turnbull, he ran third in the Mackinnon last year and he was not unlucky not to even run better.”

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Young Werther will go into the Turnbull Stakes on the fresh side after carrying 61kg to beat Duke De Sessa in an Open Handicap over 2000m at Caulfield on August 31.

O’Brien said the five-week break between runs will suit Young Werther, who will carry the minimum weight in the Turnbull Stakes, which will be run under set weights and penalties conditions.

“He raced well in Queensland, came back and he was good at Caulfield with a big weight,” O’Brien said.

“The five weeks between runs really suits him and he runs well off those types of breaks.

“He’s well treated because of the set weights and penalties conditions of the Turnbull.

“He gets in with no penalty so he gets his chance.”

Young Werther is strong!

Gets it done with Blake Shinn in the saddle👏#Caulfieldpic.twitter.com/bU1mhz72Gr

— bet365 AUS (@bet365_aus) August 31, 2024

The Turnbull Stakes is often the best local guide to the Caulfield Cup, which will be run on October 19.

O’Brien said Young Werther would head to the Caulfield Cup if he raced up to expectations.

“We are looking at the Caulfield Cup this year,” O’Brien said.

“He ticked the box the other day when he won at Caulfield and got beaten a head in track record time over 2400m in Queensland.

“If he runs well on Saturday, he’ll definitely go to the Caulfield Cup two weeks later.”

Young Werther finished eighth to Incentivise in his only other Caulfield Cup appearance in 2021.

Originally published as Trainer Danny O’Brien to give Young Werther a third crack at Group 1 Turnbull Stakes