The joint 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup favourite confirmed his Group 1 credentials against a star-studded field, including last year’s winner Verry Ellegant and 2020 Cox Plate winner Sir Dragonet, with jockey Brett Prebble securing the victory for trainer Peter Moody ahead of a fast finishing Young Werther.
The win was the second Group 1 in-a-row for the talented stayer, who claimed also victory in the PFD Food Services Makybe Diva Stakes at Flemington on Sofitel Girls’ Day In.
Grand Promenade booked his place in this year’s Lexus Melbourne Cup with a win in the Group 3 The Lexus Bart Cummings (2520m) for David Eustace and Ciaron Maher.
TAB Turnbull Stakes Day featured a feast of Group racing with Elusive Express taking out the Group 2 TAB Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m), Kementari prevailing in a thrilling finish to the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) and Kallos winning the Group 2 VRC Members Danehill Stakes (1100m).
Off the track, over $110,000 in prizes were given away to VRC members through the VRC Member Renewal Mega Draw, with one lucky VRC member winning a Lexus UX 250h, valued at $80,052.
Twenty other VRC members won prizes including two tickets to the exclusive VRC Penfolds Lunch during the 2022 Autumn Carnival and a bottle of Penfolds Grange or a $1,000 cash prize. The video announcing the winners can be watched at vrc.com.au.
Victoria Racing Club (VRC) CEO Steve Rosich said the Members Renewal Mega Draw was one way the Club wanted to recognise the loyalty of its members and bring some of the excitement of TAB Turnbull Stakes Day to their homes.
“While members couldn’t be here today, we hope they enjoyed the outstanding day of racing from home, and look forward to welcoming them back very soon,” said Mr Rosich.
“We have submitted our plans for crowds of up to 11,500 people for some or all four days of the 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival, and can’t wait to host crowds for the pinnacle of Australian spring racing.”
The countdown is now on to the 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival in four weeks, which kicks off with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 30 October, ‘the race that stops a nation’™, the Lexus Melbourne Cup, on the first Tuesday of November, Kennedy Oaks Day on Thursday 4 November, and Mackinnon Stakes Day on Saturday 6 November.
