2025 Turnbull Stakes Day Preview 

SHE’S AN ARTIST (12) on face value was a touch disappointing when resuming over 1100m here but she was found to have poor recovery so can be forgiven. 

It was still a good run by the Ciaron Maher-trained mare with her finding the front before being run down late to finish 2.56 lengths fourth. 

She’ll strip fitter and won over 1100m here by 3.8 lengths when second-up last preparation. 

Blake Shinn replaces Craig Williams and will give her every chance particularly if they’re favouring the outside fence. 

I was going to tip Sabrina here, but she was scratched so the next logical horse for me to support is her stablemate ONE DAY AT A TIME (9). 

The Tony & Calvin McEvoy-trained daughter of Bivouac is like the rest of the field is on debut and brings nearly identical jump out form to the race as Sabrina. 

In her first jump out, she cruised around with Sabrina to finish a narrow second. 

She was given a look at the Flemington straight in her most recent piece of work and I loved how she showed early speed before really taking off and dashing clear when given a tiny squeeze.  

OPTIONS (4) should be undefeated heading into this race if not for paying the price for the rail out so far here last start. 

The Godolphin-owned Impending colt won by half a length on debut at Echuca before making short work of the heavy conditions at Bendigo second-up where he bolted in by 3.8 lengths. 

Last start he loomed ominously in the Victoria Derby Preview over this course and distance but with the rail out so far, he was involved in a bumping duel that saw his back legs knocked out but to his credit he fought back to finish third by a head.  

He’s at peak fitness now. 

ZANY GIRL (2) looks well placed stepping up to a mile for the first time. 

The daughter of Needs Further won first-up before having no luck when full of running in the Listed Atlantic Jewel Stakes at The Valley second-up. 

Last start he settled a long last in the Listed Jim Moloney Stakes at Caulfield and was forced to make a long, wide run but was still strong through the line to finish just under a length third to Yum. 

She’s at peak fitness and maps to enjoy a better run from the inside barrier for Craig Williams.  

ON DISPLAY (4) stamped her class when finishing last preparation with a barnstorming win in the Adelaide Guineas by 2.3 lengths.  

She looked set for a bold showing first-up following two jump outs and that’s how it panned out over 1400m at Caulfield with her proving too strong in a 1.3 length win.  

Unfortunately, she was luckless last start in the Group 2 Let’s Elope Stakes when charging along the fence only for there to be nowhere for her to go which saw her drop out and finish near the tail.  

It was a total forget run and she can bounce back here with increased fitness third-up in Group 2 Rose Of Kingston Stakes. 

This is a cracking edition of the Group 2 Danehill Stakes with several talented types engaged. 

I’m going with the undefeated LEGACY BOUND (4) who returned in magnificent order last start with a win in the Listed Poseidon Stakes. 

There was plenty of merit in the run given the Robbie Griffiths-trained gelding fought back gamely when headed to claim a nose victory. 

He’ll strip fitter and impressively won the Group 3 Breeders’ Stakes at Morphettville by 2.8 lengths when second-up last preparation. 

He should lead this field and prove hard to run down. 

GILDED WATER (15) resumed over 1800m at Caulfield and stuck on gamely despite facing the breeze with 61.5kg, finishing third.  

The Ciaron Maher-trained gelding, who is owned by His Majesty The King, could not have been more impressive when winning eased down by two lengths over 2000m last start.

He steps up to 2520m and gives every indication that he’ll be even better over this longer trip. 

His third-up record is very good and includes a 7.5 length win in the UK. 

While he’s drawn out, he has the early speed to roll across and find a forward position for Jamie Melham. 

French import SIR DELIUS (3) announced himself in Australia with a win first-up in the Group 3 JRA Chairman’s Handicap over 2000m at Doomben during the Winter Carnival.  

He was sent to the paddock and recently returned in the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes where he alerted all and sundry that he was set for a big spring by finishing off strongly for a head second to Lindermann despite racing wide.  

The Waterhouse & Bott-trained gelding impressed last start when overcoming a wide gate to charge home and win the Group 1 Underwood Stakes by a nose. 

While he’s drawn wide again, Craig Williams should be able to use his gate speed to slide across and find a prominent position.   

PAYLINE (12) will appreciate getting away from the tight Moonee Valley circuit. 

The Chris & Corey Munce-trained gelding hasn’t been comfortable in his past two starts but has still managed to storm home and finish 1.52 lengths fifth in the Group 1 Moir Stakes and 4.45 lengths sixth in the Group 1 Ladbrokes Manikato Stakes. 

He’s on the quick back-up, so knowing and trusting this stable, they wouldn’t be racing him here unless he was absolutely thriving.   

The striking chestnut boasts a good third-up record of two wins and two placings from four starts. 

He’s drawn a preferred grandstand side barrier and should be able to track favourite War Machine before launching in the final furlong. 

SHADIZI (12) will take great benefit from his first-up hit out over 1200m at Randwick last start. 

The Chris Waller-trained gelding settled a long last before rocketing home in the final 200m to finish 2.61 lengths seventh. 

The French import who is a Stakes winner, will strip fitter second-up and will enjoy the rise to 1400m. 

He’s a previous three-length winner over this distance when second-up at Saint-Cloud in his second preparation.  

A strong speed will be to his liking with just 54kg and Craig Williams on his back.