LUNAR FLARE winning the 2022 Bart Cummings
TURNBULL STAKES DAY
Turnbull Stakes Day has often been a big fork in the road for the oncoming Spring carnival. Many handicappers run on this day heading to the Cups and also the WFA stars contest here on their way to the Cox Plate.
HKJC will simulcast five races from the Turnbull Stakes Day, including the featured race G1 Turnbull Stakes (2000m), G2 Rose of Kingston Stakes (1400m), G2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) and the Listed Paris Lane Stakes (1400m). There is also the G3 The Bart Cummings (2510m) which provides the winner an exemption into the Melbourne Cup.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR winning the 2022 FWD QEII Cup
ROMANTIC WARRIOR heading to Melbourne
Brilliant 5YO gelding ROMANTIC WARRIOR has arrived at Melbourne, where his trainer Danny Shum and his connections have targeted two huge races. The first is the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington followed by the Cox Plate at Moonee Valley. Given his superb home record over 2000m in Hong Kong, it appeals as an ideal spot. All going well, James McDonald will ride, and he is unbeaten on the son of ACCLAMATION, having enjoyed top-level success in the G1 The FWD QEII Cup, the G1 Longines Hong Kong Cup, and the G2 BOCHK Jockey Club Cup.
ROMANTIC WARRIOR has form around horses who have also had great success in Australia before. He beat DUBAI HONOUR into third place in the QEII Cup which followed that horse’s great Autumn in Sydney where he won two G1s (Ranvet Stakes and Queen Elizabeth Stakes).
ROMANTIC WARRIOR winning the 2022 FWD QEII Cup
GOLD TRIP winning the 2022 Melbourne Cup
Team Australia ready for the challenge
The G1 Turnbull Stakes will be such an important race heading forward. Run three weeks before the Cox Plate, it is a great platform for those 2000m horses to ready themselves for the great test around the Valley. It is a likely race for some local favourites like the Chris Waller-trained pair OSIPENKO and SOULCOMBE but potentially some other horses with international ties including the British raider WEST WIND BLOWS trained by Simon & Ed Crisford. Even last year’s Melbourne Cup winner GOLD TRIP could take his place.
Damien Oliver rides in his last Spring Carnival
Farewell to the Aussie GOAT Damien Oliver
One of the big focuses through the 2023 carnival will be the final chance for racegoers to enjoy the talents of all-time great Australian jockey Damien Oliver, who has announced this Spring will be his last in the saddle. He will end his career in his home town Perth in December but all his greatness has come when based in Melbourne. 128 G1 wins later is a testament to his skill and longevity.
Damien Oliver rides in his last Spring Carnival
