3 minute read
The Turnbull meeting is a major fork in spring carnvial road with key trials for several of the springs major prizes taking place.
The Turnbull has long been a key trial for both Cups and the Cox Plate and the favourite in 2020, Verry Elleegant, is out to set herself right ahead of a likely tilt at both the Cox Plate and the Melbourme Cup.
She was below her best in the George Main up in Sydney last time but they completed the mile course in a remarkably sharp 1:33.30 there and it looks a simple case of things unfolding too quickly for Verry Elleegant who is better served by stiffer test of stamina rather than a resistence-free speed battle over a very slick mile.
She is three from four when stepping from a mile to 2000m and that lone defeat was at the hands of the very smart Addeybb with the pair of them running a booming last 800m that springboarded the pair of them on to Group One wins next time out.
There is a lack of pace on paper in the Turnbull and while many will worry about her habit of getting a bit keen in that scenario what it does do is allow her to find her feet and unleash that 800m close that nothing here can match.
It seems bizzare that Verry Elleegant could be sent around about half as likely to win a Turnbull in that scenario as she was to win the George Main. One of those prices is surely amiss. Of course, the George Main has now ceased trading, what with the race being run and won already, and so it's only a mistake we can make something from if we determine that the issue is with the Turnbull price. It's probably a little bit of both but we're happy to be betting on the 7/2ish around about her winning this weekend.
The other key Cup trial at Flemington this weekend is the Bart Cummings and it has pulled together a big field of stayers on the fringes, looking to win a ticket to the big one.
We see a good each way gamble in one that has already been to the Cup twice - and come up a long way short both times it must be said - in Sound.
A Group One placegetter in Germany, Sound spent the first few campaigns in Australia racing exclusively at the top level and has had few opportunities as good as the one he gets on Saturday.
Best of all, he goes there having crushed the line first last time at the Valley and looked at least as good as ever in doing so. He's a winning chance here and 20-1 looks to undersell that chance.
THE MELBOURNE MAIL
Bet Of The Day: Race 7 #9 Verry Elleegant @ $4.50
Each Way Play: Race 6 #6 Sound @ $21.00
