The spring racing carnival hits full force this weekend with the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes and the Group 1 Flight Stakes among a feast of Group 1 action across both Flemington and Randwick this weekend. Join us for race commentary and results from 4:00pm AEST.
First up we have the Turnbull Stakes, which looks like a defining race for much of the stayers, Caulfield Cup and Cox Plate hopefuls this year.
A stellar field will battle it out over the 2000 metres for $300,000 in prize money.
It’s good to see Happy Trails return to defend last year’s crown, however it won’t be as easy this time around especially considering his charmed run in last year’s race.
I like the look of him though after the Underwood, so I have to include him in my multiples.
Lucia Valentina only has to carry 53.5kg. The Kris Lees-trained mare was good in the Tramway before eating up the ground late in the Group 1 George Main Stakes. She has a great gate and carrying next to no weight will give her a good go at this.
Green Moon could be the surprise of the field, from four starts at the 2000m mark at Flemington he has finished no worse than fourth. That’s a damning statistic that could see the former Melbourne Cup winner run a good race at odds.
Puissance De Lune doesn’t look the same horse as last year – he is missing close to a length. Connections want a Group 1 victory and I’m not sure we will see it today.
Entirely Platinum maps well in this race but can’t win this. Sertorius is the other I reckon could be big on the place, back down to 56.5kg, which will suit and could give a sight at odds.
That said, Lucia Valentina will affirm Caulfield Cup favouritism after today.
Brent Ford tips
1. Lucia Valentina 2. Happy Trails 3. Green Moon 4. Sertorius
The Group 1 Flight Stakes (1600m) then looks like a real good battle between the trio of Winx, First Seal and the unbeaten Thinking of You.
A small field means the speed should be alright with one of Dynamic Rock, Echo Gal, Press Report or Muscavado expected to take the running up. Winx can turn the tables on First Seal in this one with some genuine tempo in the race.
The Tea Rose was a sit-and-sprint race, which didn’t suit Winx one bit.
As for First Seal, she has shown some high class this preparation, with the only defeat coming at the hands of Sweynesse on a heavy track two runs ago. If she secures a good run off the pace she will be mighty hard to beat coming into the straight.
The last of the trio, Thinking of You, comes into the race following a dominant display over the 1400m at Caulfield. This will be the big test, but Peter Moody doesn’t put horses in this position unless they are ready.
I’ll throw Lady Sharapova into the mix but after the trio the chances gets very thin.
Brent Ford tips
1. Winx 2. First Seal 3. Thinking of You 4. Lady Sharapova
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Surely think of those results Lucia will firm for the Caulfield Cup!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Boy o Boy First Seal looks super! Keep an eye on her, make sure to check back in later as Sam Kelly runs us through the Metropolitan.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
They'll keep that order heading around the turn but First Seal explodes on the turn and it races away to win by three lengths, then Winx and Thinking of You and a close go for fourth with Press Report.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
They're off and Thinking of You missed the start and First Seal has a great start and Winx has gone way back in the run. Echo Gal leads from Press Report then Dynamic Rock and First Seal is fourth.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
First Seal getting crunched late as they are being loaded now.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
One minute from the start and Winx will take favouratism from first Seal and then Thinking of You the next as the only three the punters want.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners heading out to the gates now and the punters cannot split Winx and First Seal!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners are in the yard and First Seal looks in mint condition absolutely stunning racehorse!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Now 10 minutes away from the Flight Stakes which I see as a battle of three horses in First Seal, Winx and Thinking of You. Split them however you like but I reckon Winx can turn the tables on First Seal today.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Lucia Valentina wins it from Lidari, then Brambles gets third with Puissance De Lune getting home for fourth, that was massive from Lucia Valentina!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
The Offer tracking seven off them as they sweep to the turn, Happy Trails is well back and Entirely Platinum from Let's Make Adeal, Puissance De Lune is looming, Lidari is there as well. Brambles and Lidari but it's Lucia Valentina who has come from nowhere to swamp them!
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Runners heading into the gates now and we will be underway shortly, now we are underway! Happy Trails gets away nicely, same with PDL and Entirely Platinum. Lidari is also up there but Entirely Platinum will take the lead from Brambles, Let's MakeADeal, and Lidari in fourth.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Question marks over Lucia Valentina heading into the race but I rate her so very highly, Happy Trails looks good and he won this race last year. Paul Beshara believes he has the horse going as well as he possibly can, then I've got Green Moon and Sertorius. But I do also love the look of Puissance De Lune and there has been plenty of talk. Lidari has come from 31's into 19's and Brambles has gone from 5's to 10's. Money is coming heavy for Puissance De Lune as well.
Brent Ford
Roar Guru
Hi Guys, We've seen a Moreira domination at Randwick and he just claimed his third winner for the day in the Epsom. Now we turn to the Turnbull Stakes in just over 4 minutes and it looks to be a cracker!