An outstanding edition of the Turnbull Stakes headlines another strong ten-race Spring Carnival program at Flemington on Saturday.
With talented fields confirmed for every single event, Turnbull Stakes Day 2026 shapes as another terrific betting program.
Read on for our Flemington tip sheet, featuring our 2026 Turnbull Stakes best bets.
We’ll get a first look at the new crop of two-year-olds in the first on Turnbull Stakes Day and Silent Intent is one that looks to have some ability. By Hellbent and out or Silent Monarch, Silent Intent has cruised home in two public trials here at Flemington and looks ready to debut in the best way possible.
| 4. Silent Intent (1) J: Jye Mcneil 58kg T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Colt by Hellbent facing the starter for the first time. Won a jump-out at Flemington on September 24. Looked smart in latest hitout and should take beating. | |||
Cabriole hasn’t turned in a poor performance since debuting, winning three of six starts and placing on every other occasion, finding form around some classy opposition. Having returned to action to get up in BM78 company at Caulfield last month, I think she’ll only be better for that hit-out, and she need only handle the straight to be in the finish again.
| 11. Cabriole (14) J: Mark Zahra 57.5kg 113×1 T: Anthony & Sam Freedman | |||
| Second-up. First-up after four months favourite; raced right near the speed and boxed on; won by a long-neck in a Bm78 at Caulfield Heath on September 16 over 1000m defeating Esmahli carrying 57kg at $2.10. Previously second-up favourite; won by 2.75 len in a Bm66 at Sale on May 3 over 1000m defeating Normandy Lass with 59kg at $1.45. Tough win fresh, can improve again. | |||
In three starts since debut, Icy You has performed well – breaking his maiden in dominant fashion at Echuca second up before only just missing over 1800m at Caulfield last time out. He’s open to further improvement this week and is drawn to receive a lovely run under Froggy Newitt.
| 6. Icy You (6) J: Craig Newitt 57kg 212 T: Trent Busuttin & Natalie Young | |||
| Recent form sound. Most recently made some head-way from midfield; 2nd of 8 in a 3yo Hcp at Caulfield on September 19 over 1800m, long-neck behind Quick Finish with 59kg at $3.60. The run before that favourite; ran on from midfield and won by 5 len in a Mdn-Sw at Echuca on August 30 over 1600m on a rain affected track defeating Riverlea Prince carrying 57kg at $1.80. Nice type but have other form lines stronger. | |||
Having won on debut at Ballarat in February, Tolaga Bay picked up where she left off when striking in BM64 company at Sandown last month. While well beaten by the likes of Icelady in the Thousand Guineas Prelude last time out, there were still things to like about her performance, and I am confident the run will have brought her right on.
| 8. Tolaga Bay (8) J: Michael Dee 56kg 1×15 T: Mark Walker | |||
| Third-up today. Resuming tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by a neck in a 3yo Bm64 at Sandown-Hillside on September 2 over 1300m in soft going defeating Somethings Burnin’ with 57.5kg at $4.20. Last start 5th of 10 in the G2 Thousand Guineas Prelude at Caulfield on September 19 over 1400m, 5 len behind Icelady carrying 56kg at $5. Has a bit to find on latest. | |||
Ending her last pep with three-consecutive victories, including the Listed Bendigo Guineas, Gold Coast Belle returned to action with a dominant performance to strike in BM88 company at Sandown, comfortably accounting for the likes of the previously undefeated Tennessee Bound. While still beaten less than two lengths in the Group 2 Let’s Elope here last time out, she was still quite flat in her performance, and given everything else she has produced this year, I’m happy to forgive. Third up with Mark Zahra jumping into the saddle, she gets plenty of ticks this week.
| 7. Gold Coast Belle (9) J: Mark Zahra 56kg 11×17 T: Danny O’brien | |||
| Third-up today and won third-up previously. First-up favourite; tracked the speed and boxed on steadily; won by 2.25 len in a Bm88 at Sandown-Hillside on August 22 over 1300m in heavy going defeating Tennessee Bound carrying 52.5kg at $2.30. Second run from a spell did the work up front then tired 7th of 12 in the G2 Let’s Elope Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1400m, 2 len behind Pondalowie with 56kg at $2.10. Fair last time but was heavily backed there and can atone. | |||
In just four career starts, Natural Fling has well and truly stamped herself as a sprinting star of the future, particularly in her effortless first up victory in the Quezette Stakes at Caulfield, that saw her greeting the judge four lengths ahead of her rivals. Tossed in the deep end of the Group 1 Moir Stakes last time out, she hit the line to finish a length third, and I love that she has been kept up to the mark with a trial since that race.
| 10. Natural Fling (10) J: Damian Lane 56.5kg 12×13 T: Tony & Calvin Mcevoy | |||
| Third-up today. First-up favourite; won by 4 len in the G3 Quezette Stakes at Caulfield on August 15 over 1100m on a soft track defeating Scintillation with 56kg at $2.40. Second run from a spell sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 3rd of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, slow going 1.1 len behind My Gladiola with 50kg at $3. Very hard to catch back to own age group. | |||
In peak order this week, Litzdeel was fair enough through the line when fifth in the Lexus Archer last time out and prior to that, turned in two fine performances over 1800m and 2000m respectively. With improvement taken from that first run over 2500m this campaign last time out, she’ll carry just 54kgs and will be doing her best work late and through the line again.
| 11. Litzdeel (12) J: Daniel Stackhouse 54kg 5×425 T: Danny O’brien | |||
| At the latest run tracked the speed and boxed on steadily 5th of 11 in the G3 Archer Stakes at this track on September 12 over 2500m, 4 len behind Shockletz with 58.5kg at $3.50. The run before that sat on the speed and boxed on steadily 2nd of 15 in a Qlty at Caulfield on August 29 over 2000m, slow going 1.3 len behind Saint George carrying 55.5kg at $8.50. Drops in weight and can give a sight. | |||
Multiple Group 1 winner Sir Delius has been set for a tilt at the Ladbrokes Cox Plate, and he returned to action with a fine performance to finish on the placegetters’ heels in the Makybe Diva Stakes. He boasts an outstanding second up record, the 2000m at Flemington is perfect for him, and he can further stamp himself as one of the country’s best by winning.
| 2. Sir Delius (9) J: Craig Williams 59kg 331×4 T: Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott | |||
| Second-up. First-up after five months 4th of 10 in the G1 Makybe Diva Stakes at this track on September 12 over 1600m, 4 len behind Sheza Alibi carrying 59kg at $5. Previously second-up eased back early on 3rd in a small field in the G1 Ranvet Stakes at Rosehill on March 21 over 2000m, slow going 1.1 len behind Aeliana with 59kg at $3. Did more than enough fresh, he’ll improve again but his best would win. | |||
She interestingly hasn’t won a race since taking out the 2025 edition of the Black Caviar Lightning Stakes down the straight here at Flemington more than 18 months ago, but Skybird has turned in several fine performances since, and strips fitter for a credible midfield finish in the Moir. A recent trial performance adds extra confidence; she’s down in the weights and should find a nice position in the run under Ben Melham.
| 15. Skybird (5) J: Ben Melham 55kg 070×6 T: Mitchell Freedman | |||
| Second run back. First-up after three months 6th of 13 in the G1 Moir Stakes at Sandown-Hillside on September 5 over 1000m, on a slow track; 3.5 len behind My Gladiola carrying 56.5kg at $15. Previously second-up 3rd of 9 in the G1 TJ Smith Stakes at Randwick on April 4 over 1200m, on a slow track; 1.0 len behind Joliestar with 56.5kg at $41. Gets her ground and is exceptionally placed on best form. | |||
We haven’t seen Steparty in action since April, but he produced a strong overall preparation in the autumn, winning a couple of feature races in Tasmania most notably. A multiple winner at this point of his prep, Johnny Allen can find a nice position in the run from barrier 4 and something like this still looks well within the horse’s abilities.
| 3. Steparty (4) J: John Allen 58kg 1150x T: Paul Preusker | |||
| Gelding returning from a spell and has won previously when first up. Finished off last preparation 12th of 16 at Randwick in the G1 Doncaster April 4 over 1600m, soft track; 10 len behind Sheza Alibi with 51.5kg at $19. When resuming last campaign eighth of 11 at this track in the G2 Bobbie Lewis September 13 2025 over 1200m, 4 len behind Arkansaw Kid with 57kg at $13. Good horse who draws well, watch the market. | |||
Best – Race 6 No. 10 Natural Fling
Next Best – Race 5 No. 7 Gold Coast Belle
Value – Race 4 No. 8 Tolaga Bay