By Michael Manley
The Turnbull Stakes is best known as a key lead-in race to the Caulfield Cup and that is only growing with time as, over the past two years, Verry Elleegant and Incentivise completed the double.
The trainers of the top-rated horses in the group 1 Turnbull Stakes (2000 metres) at Flemington on Saturday, Ed Cummings with Duais and Dave Eustace with Gold Trip, have indicated that the Cox Plate is also a possibility for their gallopers.
Josh Parr and Duais win the Australian Cup.Credit:Getty
They both said how they perform in the Turnbull Stakes would decide what direction the pair would head in regard to the Caulfield Cup on October 15 or the Cox Plate at The Valley on October 22.
Cummings said that Duais’ first option was the Caulfield Cup, but he hasn’t ruled out a Cox Plate appearance.
“The Caulfield Cup comes up first and it’s at the front of our mind, but if there’s any indication we’re better off skipping it and going to the Cox Plate we’ve got that option,” he said.
Cummings also raised the possibility of Duais running in both feature races.
“If we decided to run in the Caulfield Cup and she’s had a bit of a blow and we think there’s improvement and bouncing out of it, then maybe [the Cox Plate is also] an option,” he said.
Cummings said the Turnbull Stakes was always a competitive race. “Some horses try and find out whether they can match up against the better horses, some you’ll find out whether they can stay, then you’ve got your tried-and-true horses.”
Cummings said this year’s Turnbull Stakes had attracted a “pretty typical field” and that’s why he was going into the race with a degree of confidence with Duais, despite her having failed in her two starts this time over shorter distances.
“We’re the equal highest-rated horse for a good reason – and it’s the first time this prep she’s getting to a distance which suits her – and she can sprint home off the back of a tempo that suits her rather than being rushed off her feet.”
Cummings said all Duais needed to do was to bring something close to her form when she won the Australian Cup at the track and distance in March to be very hard to beat.
Duais, who will be ridden by her regular jockey Josh Parr, has drawn barrier five and Cummings said she should be able to settle just off mid-field.
Co-trainer of Gold Trip, David Eustace, said his galloper would be suited by the Turnbull conditions with its set weights and penalties formula. The stallion would carry only 54.5 kilograms.
“He put in a really good effort the other day and he’s ready to run a big race,” Eustace said.
Harry Coffey after riding High Emocean to victory the Sally Chirnside last month.Credit:Getty Images
“The option of the Cox Plate is still there. We will make up our mind after the race, but it will be either the Caulfield Cup or the Cox Plate.”
The stable is hoping it can land the winner of the Bart Cummings, which carries an exemption from the ballot for the winner. It has two runners: Interpretation and High Emocean.
Interpretation is No.38 and High Emocean 51 in the Melbourne Cup order of entry.
Both gallopers competed in the Sally Chirnside (2500 metres) at Flemington on September 10, which was won by High Emocean with Interpretation finishing fifth.
Eustace said on that occasion High Emocean was suited by the slow track while on Saturday Interpretation will be suited by the likelihood of a firm track.
“Interpretation is a horse we’ve always liked, but he hasn’t had a lot of luck with wet tracks and he’s going to get preferred ground, and he’s fit and well.”
“High Emocean doesn’t know how to run a bad race. She had a bad injury and it’s credit to her toughness to get back to this level.”
Eustace said if they didn’t secure a run into the Melbourne Cup by winning, they would head to the Geelong Cup for their next starts.
