A battle for the ages is set to take place at Flemington this Saturday between two of the countries top stayers, Incentivise and Verry Elleegant, in the $1 million Turnbull Stakes.
Chris Waller’s mighty mare can make it 10 Group 1 wins with a victory, while Peter Moody’s newfound star is in search of his second after an impressive win in the Makybe Diva Stakes a fortnight ago.
Both runners have been installed at short odds in the Ladbrokes market, leaving punters with plenty to think about ahead of one of the most highly anticipated races of the year.
To help you out, we’ve run the rule over the entire field in our 2021 Turnbull Stakes Preview below.
Sir Dragonet
Defending Cox Plate champion Sir Dragonet is looking to improve on his impressive effort for third first-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes a fortnight ago.
The Camelot entire let down beautifully from a wide position to finish half-a-length off Incentivise, who he’ll meet again on Saturday ahead of another potential stoush later on in the spring.
The six-year-old has shown that he only improves with racing, and while he’ll likely be looking for a little further, another place isn’t out of the question.
Explosive Jack
Explosive Jack follows a similar script to stablemate Sir Dragonet as he sets his sights on longer races later in the spring.
The dual Group 1 winner resumed to run ninth in the Makybe Diva following a successful autumn campaign that saw him win the Group 1 ATC and South Australian Derby.
He’ll likely be better for the run and can only be entertained over further.
Incentivise
Incentivise is without a doubt one of the top horses racing in Australia right now.
The Peter Moody-trained five-year-old shortened even further in Caufield Cup betting when he led all the way to win the Makybe Diva Stakes first-up, and with three wins on soft going, he poses as one of Verry Elleegant’s toughest challenges.
The son of Shamus Award seemingly had plenty left in the tank as he crossed and the step up to 2000m looks no problem for him at this stage of his prep.
Brett Pebble will likely look to stalk the speed from barrier 6 before unleashing his powerful turn of foot in the closing stages.
Verry Elleegant
Chris Waller’s mighty mare will have her sights on a 10th Group 1 on Saturday after fending off Riodini two weeks ago in the George Main at Randwick.
This looks to be an even tougher task with Incentivise in the field, but you’d be foolish to doubt her credentials as a five-time winner over 2000m.
Like her rival, she loves rain-affected going, while she’s also drawn right alongside for some added drama.
The track change back to Flemington is worth factoring in, but considering she ran second to Mo’unga in the Winx Stakes, who then went on to run second to Incentivise in the Makybe Diva, she’s more than up to the task.
Johnny Get Angry
Johnny Get Angry caused a boil-over here at Flemington last year when he won the Victoria Derby as a $21 shot.
He finished well down the straight first-up in the Makybe Diva Stakes though, and is likely looking to get out over further.
Chapada
It’s been close to a year since Chapada last won a race and the market price well and truly reflects that.
He returned two plain efforts in the Feehan Stakes at The Valley and the Naturalism and Caulfield and looks likely to struggle here.
Persan
Persan is a consistent type that has had hardly run a bad race since changing hands to Ciaron Maher and David Eustace earlier in the year.
He won the Lexus Bart Cummings over further on this day last year and more recently resumed to run third in an Open race carrying 61kg’s.
This is a step up in class, but his best is good enough to run a place.
Colette
Colette is as honest as they come and warrants plenty of respect on a potentially rain-affected track.
The daughter of Hallowed Crown has failed to find the money in two runs back, but the way she finished hit the line in the Memsie first-up suggested she’ll be tough to beat over further.
2000m looks ideal for her now at this stage of her campaign, and with the blinkers off again, she looks the most likely to fill the minors.
Mount Popa
Mount Popa wrapped up his autumn prep with a comfortable win in the Mornington Cup, but has struggled to find that same form since rising to Group 1 level.
He finished well down the straight first-up in the Winx Stakes and faded late for eighth last time out in the Makybe Diva.
Tough to entertain.
Young Werther
Young Werther has been racing well despite the fact he hasn’t won since his debut at Geelong last September.
The son of Tavistock held his own for third in last year’s Victoria Derby and hit the line strongly for fifth first-up at Flemington three weeks ago against weaker company.
Could sneak a place from the low draw.
