Harlem is ready to shuffle in Turnbull

FLEMINGTON 4 3 19611807 2032226 20201002121056a27b5cb7 47bc 49b6 a5a0
Fri 2nd October 2020

Tom Dabernig believes Harlem has a few key advantages over his rivals going into the Turnbull Stakes, which should equate to him being a factor in the finish.

Unlike the majority of the field, who are being aimed at the Caulfield Cup, the Cox Plate or the Melbourne Cup, Dabernig said this was Harlem’s spring grand final.

“I haven’t gone through the rest of the field but I’d be surprised if there’s another horse who has been set specifically for the Turnbull Stakes,” Dabernig said.

Dabernig said the reason they set Harlem for the race is his great record over 2000 metres at Flemington.

Harlem has won two Australian Cups in 2018 and 2019 and finished fourth earlier this year behind stablemate Fifty Stars.

Another big plus is Harlem’s weight of 54.5kg.

From his past 24 starts, Harlem has carried 59kg or more on 23 occasions and 58.5kg once.

“Jamie Mott will ride and he’s worked very hard to get down to that weight so he thinks it’s a worthwhile thing to do,” Dabernig said.

Dabernig said in a race where most horses like to sit back, he envisaged Harlem working forward and settling in a handy position.

The trainer has been happy with Harlem’s two runs this time in, which have produced a seventh in the Memsie Stakes and a sixth in the Makybe Diva Stakes.

“I think he’s going to be a solid each-way chance,” Dabernig said.

Earlier in the day, Fifty Stars will resume for Dabernig and co-trainer Ben Hayes in the Gilgai Stakes over 1200 metres.

Fifty Stars hasn’t started since his successive autumn wins in the Blamey Stakes and the Australian Cup.

“It’s good to have him back at the races and this will stimulate him but he’ll find it too short,” Dabernig said.

“He’s being set for the Cantala Stakes and the Mackinnon Stakes.”

2020 Turnbull Stakes Odds

HorseWinPlace
1Vow And Declare (10)J: Damien Oliver 57.5kg T: D T O’brien$26.00$6.00
2Kings Will Dream (8)J: Jye Mcneil 57.5kg T: C J Waller$16.00$4.80
3Surprise Baby (1)J: Craig Williams 57.5kg T: P A Preusker$6.00$2.25
4Warning (7)J: Billy Egan 56.5kg T: A & S Freedman$26.00$6.00
5Dalasan (3)J: Jamie Kah 56.5kg T: L Macdonald & A Gluyas$17.00$5.00
6Master Of Wine (4)J: Michael Rodd 56.5kg T: M, W & J Hawkes$8.00$2.80
7King Of Leogrance (14)J: Damian Lane 56.5kg T: D T O’brien$14.00$4.20
8Aktau (5)J: Daniel Moor 56.5kg T: M D Moroney$51.00$10.00
9Verry Elleegant (9)J: Mark Zahra 55.5kg T: C J Waller$4.50$1.90
10Oceanex (13)J: Dean Yendall 55.5kg T: M Price & M Kent Jnr$41.00$8.50
11Harlem (11)J: Jamie Mott 54.5kg T: T Dabernig & B Hayes$26.00$6.00
12Finche (15)J: Ben Melham 54.5kg T: C J Waller$9.00$3.00
13Django Freeman (6)J: Luke Nolen 54.5kg T: Robert Hickmott$19.00$5.50
14Superstorm (12)J: William Pike 53.5kg T: G & A Williams$7.50$2.60
15Toffee Tongue (2)J: Michael Dee 53.5kg T: C J Waller$51.00$10.00