Racing: Vigor 'can rebound' in Turnbull

Danny O'Brien says Vigor can bounce back against the topweights in the Turnbull Stakes and consolidate his stranglehold on Caulfield Cup favouritism.

Vigor guaranteed himself a Cup start when he won last month's Makybe Diva Stakes (1600m) at Flemington and ever since has been a dominant favourite.

Yesterday, TAB Sportsbet quoted him at $5.50 ahead of Daffodil ($9) but that could be generous if he can beat Saturday's crack Turnbull field.

Last start he was a luckless sixth in the Underwood Stakes (1800m) after twice being blocked for a run in the last 200 metres and finishing just over two lengths behind the winner Heart Of Dreams.

"Last start he never really got the chance to wind up but he's done well since the run and I'm happy with him," O'Brien said.

The winner of eight of his 18 starts, Vigor drops 1.5kg to 57.5kg in the Turnbull which could be significant against Melbourne Cup winner Viewed, Cox Plate winners El Segundo and Maldivian, Cox Plate runner-up Zipping and Doomben and Brisbane Cup winner Scenic Shot.

Today they will all carry the maximum 59kg and only six horses in the last 20 years have won with so much weight and not since Northerly seven years ago.

Vigor, who is $4.80 Turnbull favourite, also has a familiar formline to eight of the last 20 Turnbull Stakes winners who all had top six finishes in the Underwood Stakes.

Underwood third placegetter Predatory Pricer ($5) and Red Ruler ($8) who was fifth are also in Turnbull contention with 56.5kg and 54.5kg respectively.

Maldivian is third favourite for the Turnbull after a gutbusting fourth in the Underwood.

O'Brien said it was unusual to have a horse like Vigor who he believes with luck could have won his last nine starts.

Meanwhile, David Hayes is holding out hope that Zagreb can recapture the form that nearly won him the Australian Cup (2000m) at Flemington in the autumn.

- AAP