Turnbull Stakes 2026 Betting Tips - Sir Delius Sets the Standard

Alex Marsh

Editor

Last updated: Wed. 30 Sep. 2026 14:09

Alex Marsh 30 Sep. 2026

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Sir Delius is the best bet to win the 2026 Turnbull Stakes, thanks to a strong 2000m record
Ohope Wins presents value for each-way punters, given proven staying ability
The race features 15 runners with a mix of emerging stars and seasoned stayers

Expired

Sir Delius is aiming for back-to-back Turnbull Stakes victories. (Getty)

The 2026 Turnbull Stakes brings a strong field to Flemington on Saturday, with the Group 1 over 2000m again serving as a major spring test for several runners heading towards bigger targets later in the carnival.

2026 Turnbull Stakes Tips
2026 Turnbull Stakes - Field & Odds

Defending champion Sir Delius returns to the scene of last year’s victory, while Aeliana, Cosmic Crusader, Half Yours and a number of emerging stayers add further depth to an intriguing 15-horse field.

For the 2026 Turnbull Stakes, Sir Delius heads the market at $3.30 with CrownBet.

2026 Turnbull Stakes Tips

2026 Turnbull Stakes Best Bet - Sir Delius

There was enough to like about the return in the Makybe Diva Stakes, where the mile simply looked too sharp for Sir Delius against Sheza Alibi, Autumn Boy and company, yet he still worked home soundly into fourth.

His peak runs may well come later in the spring, but the rise to 2000m for the Turnbull Stakes brings him right into contention, particularly if conditions become testing.

The son of Frankel is three wins and a placing from four starts over 2000m and has won both of his starts on heavy ground, including his Australian debut over this distance.

Last year’s Turnbull was won comfortably under Craig Williams, with Sir Delius defeating Antino as Via Sistina finished third and eventual Caulfield Cup-Melbourne Cup winner Half Yours fourth, while Williams is aboard for the title defence.

There are runners at varying stages of their preparations and no obvious grand final here, but Sir Delius is a deserving early favourite given his excellent 2000m record, ability to make his own luck and proven versatility underfoot, so he goes on top.

2026 Turnbull Stakes Value Bet - Ohope Wins

The jury was out following a disappointing return in the P.B. Lawrence Stakes over 1400m at Caulfield, particularly after Ohope Wins settled well back in a race that was never likely to bring out her best.

A Flemington jump-out win on September 4 followed before she finished ninth of 10 in the Makybe Diva Stakes, but that latest performance was much better than the bare result suggests.

She was never a winning threat over the mile, although her late work was encouraging as she began to warm into things over the concluding stages and through the line, with the sectionals backing that up through the fourth-fastest last 200m of the race.

As a dual Oaks winner after taking both the New Zealand Oaks and Australian Oaks, the daughter of Ocean Park could be particularly well suited if this develops into a testing 2000m contest given her proven staying strength.

The booking of Blake Shinn is another part of the appeal, with Ohope Wins capable of being a touch slow away and often ridden quietly, while his more positive style could help her begin cleaner and tack onto the race sooner; at one of the bigger prices, a top-three or top-four finish would not surprise.

2026 Turnbull Stakes - Field & Odds

No.	Horse	Trainer	Jockey	Barrier	Weight	Odds
1	Half Yours	Tony & Calvin McEvoy	Jamie Melham	14	59kg	$17
2	Sir Delius (GB)	Gai Waterhouse & Adrian Bott	Craig Williams	9	59kg	$3.30
3	Light Infantry Man (FR)	Ciaron Maher	Harry Coffey	3	58kg	$34
4	Cosmic Crusader (NZ)	Andrea Leek	William Pike	4	58kg	$5.50
5	Aeliana (NZ)	Chris Waller	Damian Lane	2	57kg	$3.90
6	Asterix (NZ)	Chris Waller	Ben Melham	11	56.5kg	$81
7	Zahrann (IRE)	Ciaron Maher	Ethan Brown	1	56.5kg	$14
8	Ohope Wins (NZ)	Chris Waller	Blake Shinn	5	56kg	$71
9	Middle Earth (GB)	Ciaron Maher	Mark Zahra	6	56kg	$41
10	Soul Of Spain (IRE)	Chris Waller	Beau Mertens	15	56kg	$81
11	Buckaroo (GB)	Chris Waller	Jye McNeil	8	55kg	$15
12	She’s A Hustler (NZ)	Grahame Begg	Jordan Childs	7	55kg	$15
13	Saint George (GB)	Ciaron Maher	Michael Dee	13	55kg	$14
14	Deakin (FR)	Phillip & Tommy Stokes	Lachlan Neindorf	12	55kg	$71
15	Kings Valley (IRE)	Ciaron Maher	Lachlan Neindorf	10	55kg	$126