On The Punt: Best bets for Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington

Racenet form analyst Chris Vernuccio gives his top selections at Flemington for the Turnbull Stakes day.

Herald Sun and Racenet form analyst Chris Vernuccio looks at the Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington on Saturday.

BEST BET

FIRST SETTLER (R5 No.4 – $3.70)

First Settler lost for the first time in the Poseidon Stakes but he served it up to star colt Growing Empire, who nearly won the Group 1 Manikato Stakes at his next start. He should improve off that first-up run and he has won down the Flemington straight. His price has surprisingly eased from his opening quote but that could simply be down to drawing barrier one, which shouldn’t be a great negative in a 10-horse field.

Growing Empire with an emphatic victory and an exciting future! 🔥

Mark Zahra on board for @cmaherracingpic.twitter.com/PpfR6UZIAB

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 14, 2024

NEXT BEST

BERKSHIRE BREEZE (R7 No.16 – $4.40)

Berkshire Breeze was beaten at odds-on two starts back when leader at a slow tempo, and was too far back in The Archer when third behind Point King. He can find a perfect position behind the leaders from barrier two.

Point King with a gritty win securing a spot in the Lexus Melbourne Cup! 👑@[e-mail]/puMg2j4UvV

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 14, 2024

VALUE BET

ARKANSAW KID (R9 No.1 – $6)

Arkansaw is a last-start winner over the Flemington 1200m straight course and can repeat the effort here in the Gilgai Stakes from an ideal barrier 13. He shouldn’t be disregarded because he has the topweight of 59kg after carrying 53.5kg last start because the set weights plus penalties conditions means there’s only a 2.5kg spread in the weights.

Arkansaw Kid with an incredibly tough victory to hold them off!💪@[e-mail]/qorVKlFLJQ

— 7HorseRacing 🐎 (@7horseracing) September 14, 2024

THE JOCKEY

DAMIAN LANE

MOBY DICK (R1 No.5 – $2.15), RUMBLE TOWN (R2 No.2 – $4.20), SCARY (R3 No.5 – $5.50), FINGERS HUNTER (R4 No.2 – $19), AARDVARK (R5 No.3 – $23), VON HAUKE (R6 No.7 – $6.50), MAHRAJAAN (R7 No.3 – $61), VIA SISTINA (R8 No.4 – $4.80), RIPCORD (R9 No.5 – $9.50), WROTE TO ARATAKI (R10 No.5 – $10)

Originally published as On The Punt: Best bets for Turnbull Stakes meeting at Flemington