Turnbull Stakes 2024 Tips, Betting, Odds, Horses & More 2024

The Turnbull Stakes holds a significant place within the Melbourne Spring Carnival, traditionally held in October at Flemington Racecourse and falling on the final weekend before the official start of the carnival. Flemington Racecourse is undoubtedly one of the top tracks in the country. 

The allure of the Turnbull Stakes arises not only from its Group 1 status but also from its ability to attract the best of mature horse talent from across Australia and serve as a vital lead in race to some of the great distance races on Australian turf. You certainly don’t want to miss the action that the Turnbull Stakes brings each and every year.

Run at the prestigious Flemington Racecourse, the Turnbull Stakes acts as a launching pad for many of Australia's premier racehorses to strut their stuff. There is a sense of excitement in the air as we still have the full Melbourne Spring Carnival to come. 

The Turnbull Stakes runs over 2,000m under set weights and penalties conditions (meaning the weight carried by the horse is determined by its age and sex) for horses 4YOs and upwards. Boasting a hefty $750,000 prize pot for competitors, it's an important race to win in its own right.

Along with the Turnbull Stakes, we also see an important Group 3 race, The Bart Cummings. A win in The Bart Cumming is crucial as it is one of the few races that is exempt from the ballot for the biggest race of them all, the Melbourne Cup.

No matter what information you are looking for about the Turnbull Stakes, you’ll find it here with OnlyRacing. We have information on horse racing betting for the race, so if you want to place bets, we’ve got you covered. We also include other important pieces of information like the field, form guide, odds, tips, history and more!

The race is also often seen as a stepping stone towards the more abundant prizes up for grabs later in the carnival. Even so, the horse that takes top honours walks away with a cool $450,000. Plus, there's prize money given out all the way down to the horse that finishes 8th. For a detailed breakdown of the prize money distribution, see below:

Would you like some horse racing tips? Well, good for you because you’ve come to the right place! We’ve got all the Turnbull Stakes tips you’re looking for. There’s something for everyone as well, as our experts provide three tips for the race, their best bet, next best and best roughie.

While we would love to see what our experts have put together for the Turnbull Stakes in 2024, they haven’t got to it yet. Our experts are waiting until race week, when information about each runner is confirmed before providing their thoughts. If you want some horse racing tips now, you can check out our tips page. We have weekly tips!

Until race week, you can check out which runners our expert thought would perform well in the Turnbull Stakes in 2023. As soon as the time is right, we will swap them out for our 2024 tips! Check out all the information below

Turnbull Stakes Best Bet - Romantic Warrior

I ummed and ahhed about putting Romantic Warrior on top or not. Obviously, I have put him on top as I think he is the horse to beat, but for me, he is a little too short. He isn’t the slam dunk I think other horses that are even money are, but I can’t knock his class. Romantic Warrior is clearly targeting the Cox Plate and that should suit him second-up. 

From Hong Kong, I can’t wait to see what Romantic Warrior can do in Australia. He has been beating Japanese runners for fun, so I think that holds up well with Australian runners. Would have liked one more run under his belt, but he does have a lot of class, and you can’t fake that.

Turnbull Stakes Next Best - Soulcombe

Soulcombe can win this race I reckon. At this stage, he is listed with odds of $6.00, so there’s still a bit of value to be had. He has been performing well in weight-for-age races, specifically in the Underwood Stakes, but he should be more at home with the conditions he gets here with the Turnbull Stakes.

I don’t think he has the class of Romantic Warrior, but if Romantic Warrior doesn’t get it all his way, Soulcombe is the one who can swoop in and cause an upset. Soulcombe is rock-hard fit and ready to hit the ground running. Let's see if he can beat Romantic Warrior on Saturday.

Turnbull Stakes Best Roughie - Right You Are

Currently listed at odds of $14, I think Right You Are has proper each-way claims. His third-up form is as solid as you would like, so I’m a tad surprised at the price we are getting for him right now. When tackling a race third-up, he has two wins, so on paper that is looking really good to me!

His fifth place in the Underwood Stakes a couple of weeks ago was also solid after being caught wide. I think how he does in the race will be determined in the first half. If he doesn’t burn too much petrol from the wide barrier early, he will have a lot in the tank to run a lot of these down.

So, there you have it! Don’t forget that our tips will be replaced with the 2024 tips during race week. Come back soon. 

Placing your bets on the Turnbull Stakes and other Group 1 Australian thoroughbred races can really let your racing know-how shine. Whether you're into simple Win or Place market bets, or fancy dabbling in the more intricate world of exotic bets, there's plenty to choose from. 

If multis and exotics are your thing, or if you're keen on zeroing in on particular jockeys or the top bets of the day, our all-inclusive guide has you covered. The Turnbull Stakes promises to be an exciting Group 1 race held at Flemington Racecourse and many punters choose to test their skills, betting on the race. 

Choosing from one of the best Australian betting sites can be overwhelming, but we aim to make it easier by suggesting a few reliable options. Before diving into the recommendations, it's important to study the field of runners for the Turnbull Stakes and decide which horses you wish to bet on.

One of the key factors to consider when selecting one of the top best betting apps is the odds they offer. It may require some effort, but visiting multiple bookmakers and comparing the odds they provide for your preferred market can help you determine which bookie offers the best odds. 

By choosing the bookmaker with the highest odds, you increase your potential return. For a comprehensive list of Australian bookmakers that offer Group 1 thoroughbred horse racing markets, you can refer to our bookmaker reviews page.

Another aspect to consider is your comfort level with a particular bookmaker. Many Australian punters prefer to bet with bookmakers they are familiar with, whether it's due to the app or website they frequently use. 

It is entirely reasonable to stick with a bookmaker you feel comfortable placing your bets with. Our bookmaker reviews page provides information on the reliability of each bookie, which can assist you in making an informed decision.

Betting sites bonuses also play a significant role in selection. Check our OnlyRacing promotions page to see what various Australian bookmakers offer in terms of bonuses and promotions. Some bookies may have specific promotions for the Turnbull Stakes, so it's worth exploring those options as well.

Ultimately, there is no definitive method for choosing a bookmaker for the Turnbull Stakes. The tips mentioned above are all valid considerations. However, it is crucial to ensure that you bet with a reliable bookmaker and provide any necessary verification information before placing your bets.

We all want to know which runners will be taking part in the Turnbull Stakes field for 2024. As of right now, we don’t know because the final field hasn’t been confirmed. The final field is confirmed each year during race week. We will bring you all this information as it comes to light!

If you want to get a little sneaky peek at which runners are targeting the Turnbull Stakes and are more likely to appear in the final field, you should check out the odds. If the odds are available, we will have them listed below in our “Odds” section. The runners with the shorter odds are deemed more likely to make it into the final field.

Until the time the final field is announced for the Turnbull Stakes in 2024, we have left up the field table from the race in 2023. See which runners took part in the Turnbull Stakes in 2023 below:

In 2023, we saw a field of 16 runners confirmed for the Turnbull Stakes, along with two emergencies, just in case there were any scratchings. In the end, there weren’t any scratchings before the race, so emergencies El Patroness and Goldman didn’t gain entry into the race.

You’ll notice in horse racing that scratchings happen all the time. It is very unfortunate and there are several reasons as to why a runner might be scratched. It is also important to keep an eye on the field as scratchings can happen at any time and you don’t want to be blindsided. 

Along with any scratchings, you should look into the barrier draw. Before the race each runner is randomly selected a barrier and this can have a fairly major impact on the race tactics deployed. The way the race pans out can be a direct result of the barrier each runner jumps from.

If you want to increase your chances of picking a winner for the Turnbull Stakes, one of the biggest things you can do is go through the form guide. The Turnbull Stakes form guide covers a lot of data that can present patterns, which can lead you down the road of a winner. While it isn’t 100% foolproof, it can give you a leg up.

If you don’t have the time to go through and find all the key form indicators, that’s okay! You’ve come to the right place. We go through all the stats and data from the Turnbull Stakes and have put together some key form indicators that you need to know before placing any bets. Check out the details below!

The 2,000m event is a top-class test for middle-distance runners and its location in the Spring Racing Carnival presents a unique crossroad for punters, with multiple formlines to look into. Some of the best lead-up races include the Underwood Stakes and the Makybe Diva Stakes.

In the last 24 years, we’ve seen 10 Turnbull Stakes winners come from the Underwood Stakes. The Makybe Diva Stakes also needs to be considered, in 2021 Incentivise successfully completed the Makybe Diva Stakes - Turnbull Stakes double.

Interestingly, all winners between the years of 2014 and 2018 had their lead-up run in Sydney before travelling south to Melbourne. Historically, horses coming from Sydney have had difficulty in the Turnbull Stakes, but this is now changing and these runners should be seriously considered. 

Favourites don’t really have a good record in the Turnbull Stakes as we’ve only seen five favourites win the race since 2006! On top of this two of the five favourites that have won since 2006 were Winx and we all know how unique of a situation she was.

The age that has had the most success in recent years is 6YOs. Since 2011, we have seen seven 6YOs win the Turnbull Stakes. On the not-so-successful side, mares have a poor record in the race, winning on just eight occasions since 1983.

Wide barriers don’t seem to be very successful in the Turnbull Stakes. Since 2002, we have only seen three runners who have won the race from a double-digit barrier. You should also look to avoid those who are taking on the race second-up. Since 1989, we have only seen three winners take on the Turnbull Stakes second-up.

With a race that has been running for as long as the Turnbull Stakes has, we’ve seen some of the best-ever horses in the industry compete. There are many Turnbull Stakes horses that we could feature in this section, but we only have a handful of spots available. 

This means that we’ve had to make some pretty tough decisions on which horses to feature. With the horses that we do include in this section, we will go through their history of success as well as any honours or awards they have achieved. Check out the Turnbull Stakes horses below:

Wakeful - 1903

The 1903 winner of the Turnbull Stakes, Wakeful, ended her career with a record of 44:25-12-4. Throughout her career, she won Group One races like the Doncaster Mile, the Newmarket Handicap and the Caulfield Stakes. In 2002, Wakeful was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame. 

Ajax - 1938 & 1940

Multiple winner of the Turnbull Stakes, Ajax won the race in 1938 and 1940. The stallion won or placed in almost every race he competed in and his record stood at 46:36-7-2. Some of the biggest races Ajax won throughout his career included; the Cox Plate, the Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the All Aged Stakes.

Tobin Bronze - 1966

Tobin Bronze was one of the most successful runners of his time and this included a victory in the 1996 Turnbull Stakes. He was inducted into the Australian Racing Hall of Fame in 2003 and some of his biggest victories included; the Doncaster Mile, the Cox Plate, the Victoria Derby and the CF Orr Stakes.

Makybe Diva - 2005

This queen has a record of 36: 15- 4-3, which included prize money of over $14 million. She was named the Australian Racehorse of the Year in both 2005 and 2006, as well as this, she also has a Group 1 named after her, the Makybe Diva Stakes. Her greatest feat, however, is undoubtedly winning the Melbourne Cup three years in a row.

Winx - 2017 & 2018

If Makybe Diva is a queen, then Winx is certainly also a queen! She won 37 races throughout her career which helped her gain over $26 million in prize money. She was named the Australian Horse of the Year four seasons in a row, from 2015/6 until 2018/9. She also managed to win the Cox Plate four years in a row!

Before you place any bets, you’ll notice the odds attached to each market or runner you are looking at. The shorter the odds, the less return on investment you’ll receive if that bet gets up, but the more chance that bookie thinks that outcome will eventuate. 

Even if a runner is the favourite and has odds of something like $1.75, for example, it doesn’t 100% guarantee that the runner will win the race. Nothing is a sure thing in horse racing and massive roughies win all the time! 

Before the Turnbull Stakes, all the top bookies will open up horse racing markets for the race. This means that you’ll have plenty of time to get your bets sorted, but remember that as soon as the odds are released, they will be changing constantly, so if you see a price you like, it’s best to jump on!

Something else we recommend is to bet when the market is listed as “Before Noms”. When you bet during this time, it means that you’ll get your stake back if your runner doesn’t make the final field. If you’re betting when the market is listed as “All-In” you won’t get this luxury.

The odds from PlayUp for the Turnbull Stakes aren’t available just yet. Check back here soon as we will list all the Turnbull Stakes odds as soon as the market is released.

The Turnbull Stakes, a renowned Group 1 open-class horse race, has been a staple of Australian horse racing since its inception in 1865. Initially known as the Royal Park Stakes, the race underwent several name changes until it was finally named the Turnbull Stakes in 1948. 

The race, initially held over a distance of 3,200m, has experienced multiple distance modifications, finally settling at 2,000m in 1971. The Turnbull Stakes has seen numerous notable winners, including Winx in 2017 and 2018, which cemented its reputation as a launch pad for the Melbourne Spring Carnival's great distance races. 

Despite changes in name, status and distance, the race continues to captivate racing enthusiasts and holds a significant place in the Australian racing calendar, with its annual event now termed Turnbull Stakes Day.  We will provide here a wonderful look at the history of the race in a little more detail.

The Turnbull Stakes, a Group 1 open-class horse race, holds a prominent position in Australian horse racing, showcasing a blend of rich heritage and riveting sporting spectacle. The first instance of this illustrious event took place in 1865, under the moniker of the Royal Park Stakes, with a horse named The Sign claiming the initial victory. 

For the next three decades, the race underwent various name changes, from the September Stakes to the October Stakes, before finally being christened as the Melbourne Stakes in 1936. In 1948, a significant change occurred when the race was renamed the Turnbull Stakes in honour of Richard Turnbull, then Chairman of the Victoria Racing Club. 

The race continued to evolve not just in name but also in its categorisation. Initially regarded as a Principal Race, it ascended to Group 2 status in 1979 and eventually attained its Group 1 classification in 2006, confirming its prestige within the racing fraternity.

Equally as fluctuating as the race's moniker and standing has been the distance over which it has been run. Initially established as a true test for stayers with a gruelling 3,200m length, the race experienced numerous distance adjustments throughout its history. 

From an odd 2800m in 1884 to a period of 1600m from 1925-1947, the race finally settled at its current length of 2000m in 1971. Notable winners have left their mark on the Turnbull Stakes, creating a tapestry of racing excellence. 

Being the trainer of Winx, Chris Waller also has the honour of having trained the Turnbull winner in five of the seven renewals between 2015 and 2021. As Winx showed in 2017 and 2018, the Turnbull Stakes is often a launch pad for the great distance races in the Melbourne Spring Carnival, which is one of the biggest horse racing carnivals of the year.   

Who won the Turnbull Stakes? Who came second? Who came third? All will be revealed! We have all the results information you’ve been on the hunt for including the finishing order of the entire field along with a full race replay.

In 2023, the Turnbull Stakes was taken out by $19 roughie Gold Trip, who overcame a wide barrier and had to make his way through the field to finish first by 1.75L. West Wind Blows finished in second place and just couldn’t hold on against a fast-finishing Gold Trip.

Wrapping up the minor placings was Soulcombe, who finished 2.15L off the pace. The Turnbull Stakes was run in a time of 2:01.62 and there was a total of 16.7L that separated the first and last runner across the finishing post.

Check out the full Turnbull Stakes results below:

You know where each runner finished in the Turnbull Stakes, so now it’s time to relive all the action. Check out the full race replay below:

Unless there’s a dead heat, there can only be one Turnbull Stakes winner each year. We have all the recent winners of the Turnbull Stakes listed below, check them out:

If you still have some questions about the Turnbull Stakes, this is the section for you! We’ve gone through and answered all the most common questions people have about the Turnbull Stakes. Check out all the Turnbull Stakes FAQs below: