Early Oil: Flemington tips, preview for Turnbull Stakes day
Getting to 1600m should allow a consistent filly to produce a peak performance at Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
News Corp form analyst Brad Waters looks at Saturday’s TAB Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington.
BEST BET
DE SONIC BOOM (Race 4, No.1)
De Sonic Boom has hit the line hard at all runs this time in, racing as thought 1600m will suit her. She gets her chance to break through at Flemington.
VALUE BET
WALTZ ON BY (Race 6, No.6)
Waltz On By closed well at the end of 1200m first-up but is unbeaten over 1400m and rates a great each-way chance second-up.
EARLY QUADDIE
1, 2, 3, 5, 16/1, 9, 13, 14/3, 4, 9/1, 3, 6
$100 flexi for 55.5 per cent
BIG6
3, 4, 9/1, 3, 6/2, 3, 10, 18/1, 6, 8, 11/1, 2, 5, 14/3, 6, 9
$100 flexi for 5.8 per cent
QUADDIE
Race 5: 2, 3, 10, 18
Race 6: 1, 6, 8, 11
Race 7: 1, 2, 5, 14
Race 8: 3, 6, 9
$100 flexi for 52 per cent
RACE 1: 12:25PM HQ TAVERN SPRINT (1200m)
Soft conditions are likely to greet the runners in the first race, which looks the hardest of the day for punters. ETIENNE (18) is racing in terrific form and should be hard to run down again. ANILLA (7) broke through for a win third-up and has raced well down the straight. HARBIN (14) did a good job to win an easier race at Geelong but should measure up to this. ELECTRIC IMPULSE (16) is lightly-raced and talented. OUR LAST CASH (2) is also worth thought again.
SUGGESTED BET: Etienne to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Etienne $4.40 – $4.
RACE 2: 12:55PM LISTED DARLEY MARIBYRNONG TRIAL STAKES (1000m)
This is the first Melbourne two-year-old race of the season so none of the runners have raced. BLUE ILLUSION (2) impressed in his jumpout down the Flemington straight and trainers James Cummings has won this race two of the last three years. CENTRE SQUARE (4) showed good speed and travelled well throughout his jumpout, indicating ability. IMMORTAL JOY (10) wasn’t far from Blue Illusion in the Flemington jumpout and is trained on the track. DUBLIN DOWN (6) trialled well at Ararat and could show something on debut.
SUGGESTED BET: Blue Illusion to win – if you must.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Blue Illusion $3.40 – $2.25.
RACE 3: 1:30PM LISTED ABC BULLION SUPER IMPOSE STAKES (1800m)
Another tough race featuring Victoria Derby aspirants. APULIA (5) was scratched at the barrier in the Derby Trial last month but his form this time in looks solid for a race like this. AMBASSADORIAL (3) has drawn wide but he’s tough, honest and should be in this for a long way. WINGS OF SONG (16) will continue to improve as she gets up in ground. FISTSOFFURY (2) was beaten at The Valley last Friday night but might find this a shade easier.
SUGGESTED BET: Apulia to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Riff Rocket $5 – $2.70.
RACE 4: 2:05PM GROUP 2 TAB EDWARD MANIFOLD STAKES (1600m)
Another big field but DE SONIC BOOM (1) is suited at the weights and has raced like she’s looking for the 1600m now. Expecting her to thrive on the big track at Flemington. BASILINNA (14) is jumping in class but was impressive winning over this trip second-up. POIFECT (13) wasn’t far away in a strong race at Caulfield first-up and will be improved. SUBRISING (9) is showing promise and stepping up to 1600m will suit her.
SUGGESTED BET: De Sonic Boom to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Legacies $4.40 – $4.
RACE 5: 2:40PM GROUP 2 WORLD POOL DANEHILL STAKES (1100m)
ARCHO NACHO (4) let down well when driving along the inside to win down the straight first-up and he’ll have every chance to repeat that success on Saturday. I AM UNSTOPPABLE (2) has gone well at both spring runs and should be thereabouts again. STRETAN ANGEL (9) ran on well against the fillies first-up but will be competitive against the boys here. LIBERTAD (2) wasn’t far away in Sydney last time and must be respected.
SUGGESTED BET: Archo Nacho to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Libertad $6.50 – $6.
RACE 6: 3:15PM GROUP 2 FURPHY ROSE OF KINGSTON STAKES (1400m)
Good field of mares will go around in this. WALTZ ON BY (6) has a tricky gate but there was plenty to like about the way she finished off first-up and she’s unbeaten over 1400m. PRINCESS GRACE (3) drops back to her own sex after taking on Mr Brightside at her last two runs and can threaten. NZ mare SKEW WIFF (1) scored at Group 1 level at her last run and should go well. LIFE LESSONS (10) ran well behind Amelia’s Jewel last start and should have every chance.
SUGGESTED BET: Box trifecta 1, 3, 6, 10
TAB MARKET MOVER: Princess Grace $2.10 – $1.70.
RACE 7: 3:50PM GROUP 3 THE LEXUS BART CUMMINGS (2510m)
A Melbourne Cup start is on the line here. GOLDMAN (2) worked hard from a tough gate at Caulfield but fought on well. He’s drawn for a better run and can improve here. SHERAZ (3) ran on well at Caulfield second-up and can race closer from barrier two. FIRST IMMORTAL (18) impressed under a big weight at Caulfield and is worth thought despite the tough draw. ALASKAN GOD (10) has gone well at both Melbourne runs and Jamie Kah sticks with him.
SUGGESTED BET: Goldman each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: First Immortal $4.40 – $3.60
RACE 8: 4:25PM GROUP 1 TAB TURNBULL STAKES (2000m)
A full field will tackle the Turnbull Stakes. ROMANTIC WARRIOR (1) brings impressive international formlines to this race and 2000m is his best distance. Expecting him to be hard to beat. EMISSARY (6) has run well at both spring runs and has a good record at Flemington. UNCLE BRYN (8) improved sharply at Caulfield and the MRC Foundation Cup form stood up in this race last year. SOULCOMBE (11) is flying for the Chris Waller camp and should be thereabouts.
SUGGESTED BET: Box quinella 1, 6, 8, 11
TAB MARKET MOVER: Romantic Warrior $2.50 – $2.10.
RACE 9: 5:05PM GROUP 2 GILGAI STAKES (1200m)
Tricky straight contest but C’EST MAGIQUE (14) has gone well at both runs down the Flemington straight and ran on well when resuming at Caulfield. ASHFORD STREET (5) has raced consistently this time in and won’t be far away. JIGSAW (1) raced in outstanding form last time in and can threaten first-up. STAR PATROL (2) was too good first-up and should again be in this for a long way.
SUGGESTED BET: C’est Magique to win.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Star Patrol $3 – $2.50.
RACE 10: 5:40PM LISTED PARIS LANE STAKES (1400m)
An open race to finish the meeting but UMGAWA (9) has gone close at his last four outings and should again have his chance from barrier six. NOT AN OPTION (3) will improve on what he showed at Caulfield first-up and races well over this course. MINSK MOMENT (6) found 1200m too short first-up and can improve over 1400m. JUST FOLK (1) debuts for the Gavin Bedggood camp and has the talent to fire fresh.
SUGGESTED BET: Umgawa each-way.
TAB MARKET MOVER: Detonator Jack $5.50 – $4.60
Originally published as Early Oil: Flemington tips, preview for Turnbull Stakes day
Victorian harness racing set for $3m funding boost
In a boon for participants, Victorian harness racing will receive a $3 million funding injection from September 1.
Warwick Farm preview: Mabel chasing one last hurrah
Wyong trainer Tracey Bartley is preparing to farewell Mabel as she heads into the next phase of her career as a broodmare but would love to see her pick up a deserved win at Warwick Farm.