Internationals Romantic Warrior and West Wind Blows head Turnbull Stakes betting at Flemington
TAB has installed Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior as a short-priced favourite but English raider West Wind Blows has firmed in opening betting on Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Horse Racing
Don't miss out on the headlines from Horse Racing. Followed categories will be added to My News.
International runners Romantic Warrior and West Wind Blows head TAB’s opening market on Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Romantic Warrior and West Wind Blows had a look at the Flemington track in gallops on Sunday morning before the pair takes on the locals for the first time in Saturday’s $750,000 feature.
Hong Kong star Romantic Warrior opened at $2 in TAB’s all-in market on the Turnbull Stakes while English runner West Wind Blows immediately firmed from $8 to $6 when betting began.
The Danny Shum-trained Romantic Warrior brings to Melbourne a superb record in his homeland with 10 wins and three seconds from 13 starts.
Romantic Warrior is a three-time Group 1 winner in Hong Kong, including over 2000m in the last two editions of the Queen Elizabeth Cup.
The Simon and Ed Crisford-trained West Wind Blows is a dual Group 3 winner in France and was a well held third to top Irish galloper Paddington in the Eclipse Stakes at his last run at Group 1 level in England in July.
The Chris Waller-trained pair Soulcombe and Osipenko are next in betting at $8.
Soulcombe won the Listed Heatherlie Handicap (1700m) first-up before a good fourth in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes while Osipenko was third to Mr Brightside in the Makybe Diva Stakes.
Francesco Guardi has firmed form $15 into $11 while Melbourne Cup winner Gold Trip and Uncle Bryn are on the next line of betting at $15.
Young Werther is almost certain to miss the Turnbull Stakes to head to Sydney for the $2m Hill Stakes at Rosehill.
Young Werther has performed well in Sydney in the past, running third in the Group 2 Tulloch Stakes and second in the 2021 Australian Derby as a three-year-old.
Gold Trip is one of four Turnbull Stakes entries from the Ciaron Maher and David Eustace camp.
The pair has also nominated last year’s Turnbull Stakes winner Smokin’ Romans along with Right You Are and Duke De Sessa.
Originally published as Internationals Romantic Warrior and West Wind Blows head Turnbull Stakes betting at Flemington
Racing heavyweights endorse The Everest’s ‘deserved’ Group 1 status
The Everest and All-Star Mile have been announced as freshly-minted Group 1 races.
Japanese stayer to hit Warp Speed in Melbourne Cup
Competitive efforts in top staying races in his homeland should ensure Japanese stayer Warp Speed will be competitive in the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups.