Group 1 racing action at Flemington for TAB Turnbull Stakes Day

Racegoers can enjoy the popular spring race day trackside with quality racing action and a host of entertaining activities including the popular sport of pickleball, food trucks and live entertainment.

The feature of the day, the Group 1 $750,000 TAB Turnbull Stakes (2000m) will see eight individual Group 1 winners line up with Chris Waller represented by five runners including current TAB favourite Via Sistina who will be ridden by Damian Lane and last start winner Buckaroo with international superstar jockey Joao Moreira aboard.

Other hopefuls include VRC Ambassador Gai Waterhouse AO and Adrian Bott’s Lexus Melbourne Cup hopeful Eliyass, who is hoping to keep his Australian unbeaten record intact, and Warmonger for Mick Price and Michael Kent Jr.

The race day has traditionally been a strong preview to the Melbourne Cup Carnival with six of the last eight locally trained Lexus Melbourne Cup winners competing on this race day in the past.

The winner of the Group 3 $500,000 The Lexus Bart Cummings (2520m) will win a golden ticket and a guaranteed start into the Group 1 $8.56 million Lexus Melbourne Cup (3200m).

The undercard is brimming with quality including the Group 2 Cirka Danehill Stakes (1100m), Group 2 TAB Edward Manifold Stakes (1600m), Group 2 Gilgai Stakes (1200m) and the Group 2 Rose of Kingston Stakes (1400m).

The Spring Social Club will be a hive of activity and competition with comedian Ash Williams taking on professional pickleball players Nerea Guerrea, Katherine Westbury and Joshua Chia in an exhibition match after race 6. Racegoers will have the opportunity to play against and alongside the pro-players for their chance to win a host of amazing prizes including a 40-inch TCL television.

VRC Members can find some outfit inspiration for the upcoming Melbourne Cup Carnival with the Meet the Milliner pop-up in The Atrium with some of Australia’s finest milliners trackside including Kim Fletcher Millinery, Lauder Taylor Millinery and Moore Millinery.

Food wise Mr Miyagi will be dishing up some of their famous dumpling dishes, flame-grilled Yakitori and the legendary Miyagi Fried Chicken in The Arbour.

Victoria Racing Club (VRC) Chief Executive Officer Kylie Rogers said TAB Turnbull Stakes Day offers a fantastic day of racing and entertainment.

“TAB Turnbull Stakes Day is always a popular Group 1 race day at Flemington and will set the scene for the Melbourne Cup Carnival with some of Australia’s best thoroughbreds competing on the track,” Ms Rogers said.

“The final golden ticket into the Lexus Melbourne Cup at Flemington will be on the line in the Lexus Bart Cummings, with connections trying to win their way into Australia's most iconic race.

“The day has something for everyone including the Spring Social Club which will be fun for all ages with some of the youngest racegoers able to join in on the activities.”

Racegoers can support the VRC’s Pin & Win charity partner Ronald McDonald House Charities VIC & TAS by purchasing a 2024 Lexus Melbourne Cup lapel pin on-course for $10. All purchasers will go into the draw to win a share in over $188,000 of prizes including a brand-new Lexus.

Gates open at 11:00am ahead of race 1 at 12:25pm. General Admission tickets are $30 per person with children under 12 admitted free to Flemington. For more information or to purchase tickets, visit vrc.com.au.

Due to the Melbourne Royal Show, there is expected to be traffic congestion around Flemington Racecourse and surrounding arterials, including Racecourse Rd, Ascot Vale Rd, Epsom Rd and Langs Rd.

If driving to Flemington, allow extra travel time and access the racecourse via Flemington Drive and Members Drive (for VRC Members only). Due to altered traffic controls there is no right-hand turn into Flemington Drive from Epsom Road.

For those travelling by train, Metro trains have advised extra arrivals and departures will operate throughout the day. For details on train times, please visit the PTV website.

The 2024 Melbourne Cup Carnival begins with Penfolds Victoria Derby Day on Saturday 2 November, followed by Lexus Melbourne Cup Day on Tuesday 5 November, Crown Oaks Day on Thursday 7 November and TAB Champions Stakes Day on Saturday 9 November. For more information and to purchase tickets visit vrc.com.au.