Have something on the Master
Weekly preview 
/ Kristen Manning / 02 October 2009 / Leave a comment Bet Now View Market
Master O'Reilly is the one to watch in the $500,000 Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes, a 2000m race run at set weights and penalties which is the feature event at Flemington on Saturday, writes Kristen Manning.
One of the main lead ups to the big three races of the spring, it has attracted a classy field of 16 Cox Plate, Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup aspirants.
Due to his outstanding records both at the track (five wins from six starts) and the distance (two wins from four starts), Vigor is understandably early favourite.
He did not enjoy the best of runs when sixth in the Underwood but was not far away. A return to his favourite and home track will suit.
The Underwood form should hold here and one of the best runs in that race was Predatory Pricer's.
The main concern is his below par performance at this track two starts back but his form reads very well apart from that and he looks nicely primed for a rise in distance.
As does Maldivian whose second up run - fourth in the Underwood - was outstanding. He was jumping up quickly in distance on that occasion and is bound to be further improved.
The question is whether or not he races as well at Flemington as he does at Caulfield and Moonee Valley . Being a natural on pacer the tighter turns of those courses suit. He ran nicely in this race last year but out of the placings - his lead-up run similar.
Melbourne Cup winners Viewed and Efficient have both come up very well this campaign and whilst they will be looking for even more ground the 2000m will suit at this stage. Obviously they both love Flemington!
El Segundo, getting ready for another crack at the Cox Plate - a race which he won two years ago - is yet to win at Flemington but he has run some good races here. Punters however may remember him hitting a flat spot in the 2007 Turnbull in which he was strongly fancied.
Vigor's stablemate Master O'Reilly - reunited here with Vlad Duric - ran a bold second in this last year and was only second up.
This time around he is third up and his two runs this preparation have contained plenty of merit.
Also fitter for recent racing - and not far away in three recent runs - is Red Ruler. Like a few of the stayers here he will be wanting even further but he has looked well of late and is not without a place chance.
A fascinating race well worth getting out to Flemington to see. And a nice betting race too.
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The Betfair tip of the weekend is Master O'Reilly in the $500,000 Gr.1 Turnbull Stakes. To go to the market, click here.
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