With the AFL Grand Final now concluded, the racing attention in Melbourne is turning towards Flemington for what is widely regarded as a crucial day.

The Group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) scheduled for Saturday is a particularly important race, as it frequently shapes the fortunes of horses heading into the later stages of the spring carnival.

The 2024 winner, Via Sistina, went on to claim the Cox Plate that same year, and Smokin’ Romans, the year before, was the favourite for the Caulfield Cup following his victory in the Turnbull.

Incentivise (2021) and Verry Elleegant (2020) both went on to win the Caulfield Cup after their Turnbull successes, while the legendary Winx (2017-2018) won the Turnbull Stakes on her way to Cox Plate glory.

Sir Delius was the victor of last year’s Turnbull and was considered a prime candidate for the Cox Plate and Melbourne Cup until scans revealed a heightened risk of injury, leading to his withdrawal from those races.

Half Yours finished fourth in last year’s Turnbull Stakes and subsequently won the Caulfield and Melbourne Cups double. Ciaron Maher is now aiming to replicate this achievement with Zahrann, who, like Half Yours, secured a Caulfield Cup start by winning the Naturalism Stakes prior to his Turnbull engagement.

The win in the Naturalism Stakes at Caulfield on September 19 granted Zahrann a ballot exemption into the Caulfield Cup on October 17, and Maher expressed his contentment with following the successful path previously taken by Half Yours.

“That was the path we had set out for him,” Maher said.

“He was only second up (in the Naturalism), he’s a colt, and if he can go to the Turnbull and run well, and win, even better.

“He’s a Night Of Thunder colt, so if he was able to win at Flemington, it would be ideal.”

Zahrann is one of five horses Ciaron Maher has entered for Saturday’s significant race.

Joining Zahrann in the field are Light Infantry Man, Middle Earth, Saint George, and Kings Valley.

Saint George finished as runner-up to Zahrann at Caulfield in their most recent start, with Kings Valley finishing seventh in the same contest.

“Saint George was super the other day, Kings Valley was super also,” Maher commented.

“Kings Valley has improvement to come, looks wise, and ability wise, and I think he can.

“George, with three kilos more, was, facts and figures wise, as good, or better.”

Middle Earth is coming off a seventh-place finish in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) at Caulfield on September 19, and Maher indicated the horse is progressing well. Light Infantry Man, who finished eighth behind Sheza Alibi in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 12, is expected to appreciate the step up in distance.

Check out the top online bookmakers for the latest Turnbull Stakes betting markets.