Race favourite Sir Delius faces heavy ground for Saturday’s Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington as co-trainer Adrian Bott dismisses track concerns for a 10-race card run on a nine-metre rail.
Flemington prepares for Turnbull Stakes Day on Saturday with a Heavy 9 track rating and the rail pushed out nine metres across a 10-race program. The feature Group 1 Turnbull Stakes over 2000m anchors a program that also showcases juvenile talent in the Darley Maribyrnong Trial Stakes.
Adrian Bott Backs Sir Delius on Heavy Flemington Track
Co-trainer Adrian Bott remains entirely unfazed by the wet weather forecast for Flemington this weekend. The five-year-old is a pronounced $2.80 elect following a sound fourth-place finish in the Group 1 Makybe Diva Stakes over 1600m three weeks ago.
“No, not at all. He seems to have the ability to handle those conditions. If it brings a little bit more stamina into it, I think all those things are just going to play into his favour.”
Adrian Bott, co-trainer
From barrier nine, Craig Williams may push the bay forward rather than settling back. Bott noted that the runner was forward over the mile and appreciates high-pressure racing. Beyond Saturday’s contest, Sir Delius also holds $3 favouritism for the Group 1 Cox Plate over 2040m scheduled at the track in three weeks.
Chris Waller Fields Four Runners Led by Aeliana
While Soul Of Spain has been withdrawn, trainer Chris Waller maintains a powerful four-horse hand for the feature. Nearest to the favourite in betting markets is Aeliana at $4, carrying 57kg—two kilos less than Sir Delius and one kilo lighter than Cosmic Crusader, who sits at single-digit odds.
“Good last start behind Autumn Glow. Her work at Flemington on Tuesday morning was also very good. She’s ready to run well. Carries the penalty for being a multiple G1 winner, but she’s a good horse.”
Chris Waller, trainer
Aeliana improved from an 11th-place resumption to finish second behind Autumn Glow in the Group 2 Seven Stakes two weeks ago. Waller’s stable also saddles up Buckaroo at $15, coming off fifth-place efforts in both runs this campaign, most recently behind stablemate Birdman in the Group 1 Underwood Stakes over 1800m. Dual Oaks winner Ohope Wins and Asterix complete the Waller team, with Asterix viewed primarily as a stepping stone toward the Group 1 Caulfield Cup over 2400m in a fortnight.
Supporting Flemington Races Feature Young and New Runners
The undercard offers competitive fields across multiple grades, beginning with the Darley Maribyrnong Trial Stakes where Team McEvoy debuts Silent Intent at $3.20 after an impressive jumpout win. Cindy Alderson introduces former Kiwi runner Hankee Alpha at $5.00 following elite Cranbourne jumpout work, while Team Freedman presents Esmahli at $7.00 after a second-place finish behind stablemate Cabriole over 1000m at Caulfield Heath.
Additional contenders on the card include Charming Nic at $8.00 coming off a Ballarat Synthetic victory, and Ole Dancer at $26.00 stepping up to 1400m after racing behind Point Barrow in the How Now.
“Good last start behind Autumn Glow. Her work at Flemington on Tuesday morning was also very good. She’s ready to run well. Carries the penalty for being a multiple G1 winner, but she’s a good horse.”
Chris Waller, trainer