The feature race is the $1 million TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m), considered a dress rehearsal for a number of major spring races including the Lexus Melbourne Cup.
Headlining the TAB Turnbull Stakes is Australia’s current queen of the turf Verry Elleegant, who is looking to give trainer Chris Waller his fifth consecutive win in the TAB Turnbull Stakes.
Group 1 winners and Lexus Melbourne Cup nominees Incentivise, Sir Dragonet and Explosive Jack will provide stiff competition for the champion mare in the highly anticipated race at 3.45PM AEST.
A golden ticket into the 2021 Lexus Melbourne Cup is on offer for stayers in The Lexus Bart Cummings (2520m), a Group 3 race now worth $750,000 which has attracted the likes of Dawn Patrol for Cup-winning trainer Robert Hickmott and Persan, who finished 5th in the ‘race that stops a nation’™ last year.
Racing fans can elevate their race day experience at home with delicious offerings from the Victoria Racing Club’s (VRC) food partners including Peter Rowland Group, Food & Desire, Libby Reid and Atlantic Group.
Entries are now open for the Myer Fashions on your Front Lawn National Men’s and Women’s Racewear competition. Australians across the country are encouraged to don their finest racewear for the chance to win more than $200,000 worth of prizes including a brand new Lexus UX250h 2WD Sports Luxury vehicle. Entries can be submitted at fashionsonyourfrontlawn.com.au.
VRC Chief Executive Officer Steve Rosich said TAB Turnbull Stakes Day the ultimate preview of the 2021 Melbourne Cup Carnival,
“The fields on TAB Turnbull Stakes Day are brimming with Group 1 quality, particularly in the TAB Turnbull Stakes where six of the ten runners are already Group 1 winners,” Mr Rosich said.
“It’s an important Flemington race day with $3.5m in prize money on offer and it is a turning point for spring contenders with races such as the TAB Turnbull Stakes and The Lexus Bart Cummings providing the last lead up run for many elite gallopers before their grand final races during the celebrated Melbourne Cup Carnival.
“While we are disappointed not to be able to welcome crowds to Flemington for TAB Turnbull Stakes Day this Saturday we encourage everyone, including VRC members, to savour the race day at home or picnicking with friends, and we look forward to welcoming racegoers back to Flemington very soon.”
The undercard on TAB Turnbull Stakes Day is just as exciting as the feature, with races such as the Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) for open sprinters, the Group 2 VRC members Danehill Stakes (1100m) new to the program for the nation’s best three-year-old sprinters and the Listed Kirkland Gold Super Impose Stakes (1800m) for Penfolds Victoria Derby aspirants.
An extra prize is on the line for the winner of both the Group 2 Furphy Rose of Kingston Stakes (1410m) and Group 2 TAB Edward Manifold Stakes (1610m). Each race affords the winner eligibility for a $1 million bonus in the TAB Empire Rose Stakes (1600m) on Penfolds Victoria Derby Day, Saturday 30 October.
The nine-race program begins at 12:10pm with the last race at 5:05pm and those at home can catch all the action live and free on Channel 7, or via RSN and Racing.com.
