Brambles likely to Miss JRA Cup for Turnbull Stakes

September 23, 2014 by
Home > News > Racing Industry > Brambles likely to Miss JRA Cup for Turnbull Stakes

Trainer Peter Moody is considering missing the weekend’s Group 3 $200,000 JRA Cup (2040m) at Moonee Valley with Brambles to run in next week’s Turnbull Stakes.

Brambles likely to miss the JRA Cup to run in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.

Brambles likely to miss the JRA Cup to run in the Turnbull Stakes at Flemington. Photo by Race Horse Photos Australia.

The leading Melbourne trainer thinks the Group 1 $500,000 Turnbull Stakes (2000m) at Flemington with set weights with penalties would be a better option for Brambles who is nominated for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup.

“If he runs in the JRA Cup he would have to chase The Cleaner and if he won he would face a penalty for the Cups,” Moody told the Herald Sun.

“I just think the Turnbull could be the better option.”

Brambles is among the eighteen nominations for the JRA Cup on Friday night but the winner of the Turnbull Stakes is exempt from the ballot for the Group 1 $2.5m Crown Golden Ale Caulfield Cup (2400m) at Caulfield on October 18.

And Moody is also trying to qualify the six year old for the Group 1 $6m Emirates Melbourne Cup (3200m) at Flemington on November 4.

Brambles was back in the winner’s stall in a 1700m Handicap at Flemington on September 13 for the first time since winning the 2012 Group 1 $500,000 Channel Seven Queensland Derby (2400m) at Eagle Farm.

The Savabeel gelding had spent almost two years on the sidelines after his Queensland Derby win because of a tendon injury but Moody has gradually brought him back to  winning form following a long rehabilitation program.

Moody gave Brambles three run during the Autumn and Winter earlier in the year before bringing him back for a Spring Carnival campaign.

Brambles was only beaten three lengths when eighth to Star Rolling in the Group 2 $200,000 Back To Caulfield P.B. Lawrence Stakes (1400m) at Caulfield on August 16  before running an improved race to finish second to Stipulate in the Listed $120,000 Australian Thoroughbred Bloodstock Stakes (170m) at Caulfield on August 30 before winning at Flemington.

Brambles is posted as a $51 chance for both the Caulfield Cup and Melbourne Cup with Ladbrokes.com.au.

About The Author

Mark Mazzaglia

Mark is a passionate journalist with a life-time involvement in the racing industry. He spent many years as an analyst and form expert at the Courier Mail and also has hands-on experience working with some of Queensland’s top trainers.