Turnbull Stakes: Just seven horses to race as rivals run from Winx

SUPERSTAR mare Winx will face only six rivals when she makes her Flemington debut in the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes on Saturday. One punter has already had $94,150 on the mighty mare.

Hugh Bowman on Winx.

SUPERSTAR mare Winx will face only six rivals when she makes her Flemington debut in this Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at 3.15pm which will be Race 5.

One punter has plonked $94,150 at $1.15 on Winx, who is aiming to make it 21 wins straight.

MATCH RACE: Is this the horse that could beat Winx?

“Jockey Hugh Bowman sent an ominous warning to rivals after her trackwork earlier in the week and punters have reacted,” TAB’s Nick Quinn said.

VRC Chairperson Amanda Elliott said she was hoping for a crowd of 25,000. She said recent Turnbull Stakes run on a Saturday had attracted crowds of 20,000.

When runners see Winx has accepted for the Turnbull Stakes @Racing pic.twitter.com/y1U6k3JGX6

— Dylan Dunn (@Dylan8Dunn) October 4, 2017

At acceptance time Winx’s only rivals were Humidor and Ventura Storm but a call around attracted another four horses.

Lloyd Williams added Assign and Sir Isaac Newton.

Magicool who has finished last at his two starts this time in and Skyfire who finished fifth behind Sin To Win in a restricted race at Mornington last start also were paid up for.

Turnbull Stakes (2000m)

Horse (barrier)	Jockey	Weight
1. HUMIDOR (4)	D Lane	59kg
2. WINX (2)	H Bowman	57kg
3. VENTURA STORM (5)	R Bayliss	56.5kg
4. ASSIGN (6)	Ms K Mallyon	56.5kg
5. MAGICOOL (1)	C Brown	54.5kg
6. SIR ISAAC NEWTON (7)	D Oliver	54.5kg
7. SKYFIRE (3)	D Dunn	54.5kg

THE BETTING: TAB FIXED ODDS

THE OPPOSITION

HUMIDOR

Trainer: Darren Weir

Jockey: Damian Lane

The Australian Cup winner shapes as Winx’s main danger on Saturday. The gelding, who is second favourite for the Caulfiueld Cup, blew away the field with a barnstorming finish in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes last start. He has a great record at Flemington (3 starts, 2-0-0) and the distance (4; 3-1-0). However, trainer Darren Weir admitted on Tuesday he didn’t think his charge could topple Winx. “Take Winx out of the equation, I wouldn’t swap him for anything,” Weir said.

VENTURA STORM

Trainer: David & Ben Hayes & Tom Dabernig

Jockey: Regan Bayliss

English import has only had three runs since arriving Down Under. Was given a break after running fifth at his Aussie debut at Flemington in May. Has finished out of the placings in two runs this campaign. Ran on fairly behind Humidor in the Makybe Diva Stakes and will appreciate the rise to 2000m. He will be even better suited over more ground.

ASSIGN

Trainer: Robert Hickmott

Jockey: Katelyn Mallyon

Veteran stayer from the Lloyd Williams team. Won the Herbert Power Stakes last spring before running 19th in the Mlebourne Cup. Won the Group 3 Sellwood Stakes on heavy ground over 2000m at Rosehill in the autumn. Was never a factor when resuming at Caulfield last month, but he has a good second-up record (5 starts; 3-1-1). Has failed in four starts at Flemington.

MAGICOOL

Trainer: Tony Romeo

Jockey: Christopher Brown

Winner of the Group 1 Queensaland Derby as a three-year-old, but has struggled ever since. The six-year-old has only beat one runner home at two of his past five starts.

SIR ISAAC NEWTON

Trainer: Robert Hickmott

Jockey: Damien Oliver

Another Lloyd Williams-owned runner. The former English stayer is yet to run a place in four starts in Australia, including a seventh in last year’s Caulfield Cup. Finished sixth in the Foundation Cup last start. One plus is he will have Damien Oliver in the saddle.

SKYFIRE

Trainer: Amy Johnston

Jockey: Dwayne Dunn

Has won three of 28 starts, most of those outings have been at the provincial tracks around Victoria. Finished last in a Benchmark 64 race at Geelong first-up then was beaten a length when fifth of seven runners at Mornington last start.