Gold Trip romps home in G1 Turnbull Stakes
Gold Trip has shown he is on track for another tilt at the Melbourne Cup after staging a last to first win in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
Last year’s Melbourne Cup winner was in last place when the field swung for home in the Group 1 race over 2000m on Saturday before jockey Mark Zahra brought him to the outside in the straight.
Overhauling the leaders inside the final 200m, Gold Trip ($19) raced away to a 1-¾ length win from UK visitor West Wind Blows ($6.50) with Soulcombe ($6) a long neck away third.
Trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace enhanced their hand in this year’s Cup with Gold Trip’s dominant performance after Future History led throughout in The Bart Cummings (2520m) to claim a ballot exemption into Australia’s greatest race.
Maher said it was possibly Gold Trip’s best performance.
“If you can say that from a Melbourne Cup winner,” Maher said.
“He was dynamic today and very impressive.”
Maher said there would be some discussion with connections as to whether Gold Trip follows the same path into the Melbourne Cup as last year.
Gold Trip ran second in the Caulfield Cup before finishing ninth in the Cox Plate ahead of his Melbourne Cup victory.
“I think Mark will be trying to push us towards the Cox Plate now because I think he might have one in the Caulfield Cup,” Maher said.
“Anyway, he might have a bit of thinking to do now.
“He’s good at a mile-and-a-half, the weather plays into it, and you see how dynamic he was with a bit of cut in the track today.”
Zahra said it was an unbelievable victory that had left him tingling.
“I can’t believe he won like that. What a win,” Zahra said.
“He’s such a lazy horse in the run. Ever since I’ve ridden him, I’ve just let him drop out and find his feet which he really appreciates.
“When I asked him to pick up, a couple of times at the 1000 and the 800 he came up underneath me.
“I just needed a bit of room in the straight and when it presented at the top of the straight, the rest is history.”
Zahra suggested after defeating a number of Cox Plate contenders on Saturday, including Hong Kong galloper Romantic Warrior, Zahra said that was the race he would be recommending to connections.
“The way he won why wouldn’t you go there,” Zahra said.
“I just love being on his back. If they’ve got any brains, then they’ll go to the Cox Plate (instead of the Caulfield Cup).
“It’ll all work out perfectly for everyone.”
Romantic Warrior, who was sent out the $2.45 Ladbrokes favourite under James McDonald, finished fourth, just under four lengths from the winner.
Trainer Danny Shum said the Hong Kong star would improve ahead of his next assignment in the Cox Plate (2040m) at Moonee Valley on October 28.
“James said don’t panic,” Shum said.
“The horse had a big blow and he got tired in the last 100 metres, so he didn’t give him a hard time.
“It’s exactly what we said, he’s not 100 per cent fit yet.
“This race will bring him spot on for the Cox Plate.”
More Racing News
Caulfield Cup fall victim Half Yours is back home and doing well
Good news has emerged regarding the riders involved in the Caulfield Cup, with the Victorian Jockeys Association reporting both have been discharged from hospital.Mark Zahra and Jye McNeil were transported to the Alfred Hospital after a dramatic fall during the Caulfield Cup on Saturday.The sequence of events saw Half Yours,...
Mr Brightside's Flemington Mile participation uncertain
The Lindsay Park training outfit, comprising Ben, Will, and J D Hayes, will hold off on confirming Mr Brightside's start at Flemington until the acceptance stage.Mr Brightside is expected to be nominated for the Group 2 Kia Ora Stud Mile (1600m) this Saturday, though Ben Hayes indicated he is only...
Warwoven's Cox Plate Prospects to be Decided by King's Ride
Melbourne's racing scene is abuzz as Sydney jockey Rachel King prepares to reunite with Warwoven for a crucial track gallop. This workout is designed to give the final go-ahead for the Bjorn Baker-trained colt's potential entry into the esteemed Cox Plate at Flemington.King, who celebrated a Caulfield Guineas victory aboard...
Infancy's The Invitation prospects while in foal
Dual stakes winner Infancy is eagerly awaiting a potential start in the $2 million The Invitation at Randwick, a race that could significantly boost her career accolades before she transitions to her role as a broodmare.The six-year-old mare has recently been served by the promising young sire Anamoe. Her trainer,...
Tempted claims The Everest crown in thrilling renewal
The tenth running of The Everest delivered a familiar outcome at the top but with a new champion crowned, as Tempted outdueled Ka Ying Rising before a record-breaking crowd of 52,110.For trainer Ciaron Maher, this victory represents his second success in The Everest, building on Bella Nipotina's triumph in 2024....
Autumn Glow's flawless Sydney spring culminates in King Charles triumph
Autumn Glow smoothly assumed the lead in the prestigious Group 1 $5 million King Charles III Stakes (1600m) as the field turned for home, just as Ceolwulf began to mount a challenge.Trainer Chris Waller reportedly turned to jockey Darren Beadman and inquired, "Are we in trouble?" Beadman's swift reply was,...
Gavin Bedggood celebrates biggest win as Kingswood triumphs in Caulfield Cup
Trainer Gavin Bedggood has achieved his career-defining success with Kingswood winning the Caulfield Cup.The Group 1 Caulfield Cup (2400m) on Saturday was claimed by the UK-bred import Kingswood, marking Bedggood's most significant achievement, eclipsing his previous best in the 2024 Moir Stakes at Moonee Valley.Bedggood, who was a proficient jumps...
Apocalyptic finds her best form in the Silver Eagle
While it was a supporting event on The Everest undercard, Apocalyptic's triumphant return to the winner's circle on Saturday was a considerable achievement for trainer Michael Freedman and jockey Tommy Berry.The mare, a Group 1 victor of last year's Flight Stakes, had been underperforming in the autumn and her initial...
War Machine back in winning form at Caulfield
A great deal has transpired for War Machine over the past twelve months.On the equivalent weekend last year, the horse trained by Ben, Will, and Jd Hayes, War Machine, was competing in Sydney for The Everest.While the results didn't align with the Lindsay Park trainers' aspirations, War Machine had entered...
Saintly Dancer's Thousand Guineas triumph highlights Shinn's comeback
Jockey Blake Shinn has celebrated his first Group 1 win since recovering from a significant leg injury, as Saintly Dancer dictated terms from the front to capture the Thousand Guineas at Caulfield.Shinn endured a fractured leg from a fall during last year's Melbourne Cup and made his return to competitive...