The absence of retired champion Winx will mean a new winner is added to the honour roll of the Turnbull Stakes for the first time in three years.
Winx took on seven opponents when she raced to a 6-1/2 length win in the Group One race over 2000m at Flemington in 2017 before recording a one-length win last year, defeating her Chris Waller-trained stablemate Youngstar.
Youngstar is among 19 nominations for Saturday’s Turnbull Stakes which has nine Group One winners entered.
Along with Youngstar, Waller has six of the 19 entries including Brimham Rocks, Finche, Kings Will Dream, Night’s Watch and Verry Elleegant.
Cox Plate favourite Mystic Journey will progress her claims for that race at Moonee Valley on October 26 as she attempts to get back into winning form at her first try at 2000m.
Mystic Journey had her colours lowered by Gatting in the Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington on September 14.
The Adam Trinder-trained mare is the second highest-rated runner among Saturday’s entries behind Avilius, one of three Godolphin runners James Cummings has nominated along with Hartnell and Best Of Days.
Hartnell, Humidor and Trap For Fools are entered to back up from Sunday’s Group One Underwood Stakes at Caulfield.
