Winx chasing 28th win in Turnbull Stakes

Sport360 staff 12:08 03/10/2018
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  • The task confronting Godolphin’s tireless performer Tally at Flemington on Saturday is one of the toughest in world racing, but it is one he will take on with all his usual honesty.

    Tally is among the challengers to the world champion mare Winx as she attempts to make the G1 Turnbull Stakes her 28th successive victory and her 21st G1 win.

    Tally, who like Winx is by Darley stallion Street Cry, has won almost A$1 million from his seven wins and eight placings and comes to the Turnbull off a solid first-up fifth over a sprint trip at Rosehill and will be a lot better suited at 2000m here.

    “His first-up run was full of merit, although this is a much harder race,” said trainer James Cummings.

    “We won’t be putting too much pressure on him up against some serious Cups chances and with Winx in the race.”

    Tally is joined on the Flemington card by a Godolphin contingent that includes Osborne Bulls in the G2 Gilgai Stakes, Savatiano in the G2 Blazer Stakes, Mercury in the Listed Maribyrnong Trial and Ranier in the Listed Poseidon Stakes.

    Osborne Bulls goes down a grade after his solid, G1 fifth at Caulfield last time out and has good prospects of returning to the form that stamped him as one of Australia’s most progressive young sprinters.

    “He’s in very good shape coming out of the high-pressure of the Sir Rupert Clarke, Stakes,” Cummings said.

    “Having missed a run going into it, he just didn’t quite have the chance to go ahead like he needed to get to Group One standard.”

    Cummings rates Savatiano highly, particularly if she can race truly.

    “She came out of her Newcastle race in good condition after having a wide run” he said.

    “She throws herself around like a wrecking ball, but we’re hoping for a better run and a better result here.”

    The appearance of Mercury in Melbourne’s first two-year-old race of the season is greatly anticipated.

    The colt, a half-brother to Osborne Bulls, is the first offspring of Darley stallion Brazen Beau to race.

    “He was a lovely yearling and he looked good in his action in a straight-track jump out last week,” Cummings said.

    “He should be strong late here, which would be great to see.”

    Ranier is looking to discard his maiden status after placings at each of his four starts

    “His form continues to stack up,” Cummings said.

    “He stays at seven furlongs and should be nicely suited back to Flemington where he ran so well at his first start.”

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