The Group One $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) run at Flemington on Saturday:-
* First run in 1948 when won by Beau Gem.
* Handicap until 1963. Weight-for-age 1964-70. Now run as set weights and penalties race.
* Run over 2400m from 1948-70.
* Group One since 2006.
* Notable winners include: Comic Court (1949-50); Rising Fast (1954); Redcraze (1955); Tobin Bronze (1966); Galilee (1968); Leilani (1974); Denise’s Joy (1976); Dulcify (1979); Vo Rogue (1987-88); Super Impose (1989); Better Loosen Up (1990); Let’s Elope (1991), Naturalism (1992), Sunline (2001); Northerly (2002); Elvstroem (2004); Makybe Diva (2005), Efficient (2009), Zipping (2010).
* Multiple winners: Comic Court (1949-50) and Vo Rogue (1987-88).
* In 1994 Paris Lane was first past the post but the race was awarded to Redding on protest.
* Horses to have won Turnbull – Caulfield Cup double in last 30 years: Elvstroem (2004); Northerly (2002); Sky Heights (1999); Let’s Elope (1991).
* Horses to have won the Turnbull – Cox Plate double in last 30 years: Makybe Diva (2005); Northerly (2002); The Phantom Chance (1993); Better Loosen Up (1990).
* Horses to have won Turnbull – Melbourne Cup double in the last 30 years: Makybe Diva (2005); Let’s Elope (1991).
* Makybe Diva claimed the Turnbull – Cox Plate – Melbourne Cup treble and Northerly the Turnbull-Caulfield Cup-Cox Plate treble.
* Trainers who have won it and have a starter this year: Mark Kavanagh – December Draw (Devil Moon 2007, December Draw 2011); Robert Hickmott – Green Moon, Seville (Zipping 2010); John Sadler – Winchester, Linton (Efficient 2009); John Hawkes – Niwot (Studebaker 2003); Bart Cummings – Sanagas (Let’s Elope 1991).
* Jockeys who have won it and have a ride this year: Michael Rodd – December Draw (December Draw 2011); Nicholas Hall – Seville (Zipping 2010, Efficient 2009); Damien Oliver – Rekindled Interest (Sky Heights 1999, Marble Halls 1997).
