Sir Delius storms to victory in the Group 1 TAB Turnbull Stakes at Flemington

Jockey Craig Williams last won the race in 2012 aboard Green Moon, who won the Lexus Melbourne Cup in the same year. Sir Delius put on a dominant display to take out the feature and surged to favouritism for the Group 1 $10 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m). Australian Horse of the Year Via Sistina did not disappoint, flashing home for third and Antino placing second.

Elsewhere on the day, the Chris Waller-trained Valiant King produced a strong finish to claim a stunning long-shot victory at odds of $60-1 in the Group 3 $350,000 The Lexus Bart Cummings (2500m), earning their spot into Australia’s most iconic race, the Lexus Melbourne Cup. Ridden by Jye McNeil, who won the Lexus Melbourne Cup five years ago aboard Twilight Payment. Filling the minor placings was Torranzino and Gilded Water, owned by His Majesty King Charles III.

The undercard provided thrills for racing fans with husband and wife duo Emma-Lee and David Browne training the winner of the Group 2 Cirka Danehill Stakes (1100m), with McGraw ridden by Damian Lane. War Machine won the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) for Mick Price & Michael Kent Jr and Blake Shinn. Miravale Rose won the Group 2 Furphy Rose of Kingston Stakes (1400m) for Grahame Begg and Jordan Childs.

Off the track, Fashions on the Field presented by Lexus was hotly contested with an incredibly strong calibre of entrants from across Australia. Monique Appi from Mareeba, near Cairns was crowned the winner of Best Dressed and Mellisa Rigter from Armadale won Best Suited.  As part of the prize both winners received $2,000 as well as a spot in the Melbourne Cup Carnival Crown Oaks Day Daily Finals on Thursday 6 November.

VRC Chief Executive Officer Kylie Rogers said the race day was a fantastic way to celebrate the countdown to the upcoming Melbourne Cup Carnival.

“Today’s TAB Turnbull Stakes Day was a sensational showcase of spring racing. There was a fantastic energy right across Flemington, with more than 15,000 racegoers soaking up the action and excitement as we build towards this year’s Melbourne Cup Carnival,” Ms Rogers said.

“Sir Delius stamped his authority in the TAB Turnbull Stakes with an impressive win, and we saw several other strong performances from horses with Cup aspirations including Valiant King who earned himself a spot in the Lexus Melbourne Cup.”

“From the fashion on the Front Lawn to the thrilling finishes on the track, there was something for everyone today. The countdown to Cup Week is well and truly on.”