The Group 2 Apollo Stakes headlines the 10-race card at Royal Randwick this Saturday as the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival kicks up a gear.
Our best bets for every contest can be found in our 2022 Apollo Stakes Day Preview below.
Preview brought to you by Ladbrokes. Learn more about Ladbrokes HERE.
Race 1 – 12:25pm – Coolmore Pierro Plate (1100m)
Not a race I’m overly keen to dive into, nor am I prepared to take on what appears to be a star in the making in Metallicity.
This two-year-old colt by Zoustar on debut has won three trials leading in and has been ridden to different patterns in each.
The conclusion from all three was that he’s clearly got multiple gears under the hood, and with the class of Tommy Berry in the saddle, I’m confident he’ll get the best out of the horse.
Race 2 – 1:00pm – Class 3 Handicap (1800m)
Lord Desanimaux gets back out to 1800m where he ran runner-up at Rosehill three starts back.
The Terry Robinson-trained five-year-old has been game in defeat in his last two starts over 1500m, most recently finishing just over 1.5L fifth after making up good ground from the tail of the field.
He’ll be plenty fit now for those two runs, and providing he doesn’t settle too far back this time from the wide gate, he should be storming home late.
Race 3 – 1:35pm – Bisley Workwear Handicap (2400m)
Greek Hero doesn’t win out of turn, but he does tend to hand in an honest effort every time he lines up.
That was again the case a few weeks ago over shorter where he found himself wide rounding the home turn before working on well to run fifth.
The form out of that race reads well with Desert Icon going on to win last week, and he should get the gun run here behind the speed from the inside gate. His wet track form also gets a big tick.
Race 4 – 2:10pm – Midway Handicap (1000m)
Looks a race in two here between Delexo and Capital Reign.
The former brings an unblemished first-up record with him to the races, but I’m still with Capital Reign to improve on his first-up effort a few weeks ago when runner-up to Silent Impact over further.
The three-year-old by Capitalist led for the majority and was only beaten over the final 50m, so the drop back in trip should help.
Silent Impact has since gone on to run well again, so the form reads well alongside a winning second-up record.
Race 5 – 2:45pm – George Mullen Farewell Mile (1600m)
Should be another fascinating battle here between stablemates Wairere Falls and Yiyi.
The former laid the first punch two weeks ago when he exploded with a late run out wide to upset the well-backed Yiyi, who really wasn’t disgraced despite fading late.
The mile should suit Yiyi now third-up, so too should any extra sting out of the track.
Also looking to have a penny on Off Shaw here. The Bjorn Baker-trained gelding has been super consistent since returning to work, running back-to-back thirds at Warwick Farm.
He goes well over the mile with two wins on the board and has drawn to make his own luck on speed.
Race 6 – 3:25pm – Group 3 Southern Cross Stakes (1200m)
Lost and Running looks well-placed here in his first run back.
John O’Shea’s five-year-old was outstanding during the spring, running fourth to Nature Strip in The Everest, second to Eduardo in the Classique Legend Stakes, followed by a well-deserved win in The Hunter where he put paid to his rivals.
He’s looked in great nick in two trials leading in, while his first-up record and form on soft going all passes.
Race 7 – 4:05pm – Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m)
Espiona is the odds-on favourite in this year’s Light Fingers Stakes and for good reason.
Chris Waller’s filly made only two starts during the spring, but she could not have been more impressive winning by nearly 3.5L on debut at Warwick Farm, before stepping up to Stakes grade at Flemington where she put 6.5L between herself and the rest.
She’s had two soft trials at Rosehill coming in, and so long as James McDonald handles the wide gate, she’ll be very tough to beat.
If you’re looking to take her on, stablemate Fangirl might be the one.
She capped off her maiden prep with a hat-trick when winning the Group 3 Carbine Club Stakes over the mile on Derby Day, and while she’s probably better suited over further, she’s capable of giving a good sight fresh.
Race 8 – 4:45pm – Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m)
Like it has so often in recent years, the Apollo Stakes has a Group 1 feel to it, this time featuring the likes of Verry Elleegant, Colette, and Cascadian.
There’s a case to be made for most here, but if there is rain about, I have Colette defending her crown.
It’s amazing that this horse continues to fly under the radar just about everywhere she lines up, especially after winning this race by two lengths ahead of Kolding and Verry Elleegant last year.
She went on to win the Tristarc over 1400m at Caulfield during the spring, and then of course, the Empire Rose. Her first-up record reads well, and if there’s any horse in this field that’s a genuine wet-tracker, it’s her.
Barrier 4 should see her get back, and as we’ve seen plenty of times before, she’ll be strong late.
Race 9 – 5:25pm – Group 3 Robick Lodge Triscay Stakes (1200m)
This is tough, but I like Mirra Vision in what is another wide-open race.
The Lonhro mare was super consistent during a very brief spring prep, running second first-up at Newcastle before winning the Group 3 Angst Stakes over the mile here at Randwick.
She capped off her prep 2.5L sixth to Colette in the Empire Rose at Flemington, and has since come out and run well in a trial behind Riodini and I Am Superman at Rosehill.
The barrier is the only knock, but she likes to get back and run on, while she’ll also appreciate any sting out of the track.
Race 10 – 6:00pm – Sharl Extensive It Handicap (1300m)
Poetic Charmer is a much better horse than his recent record suggests.
The son of Your Song looked to be in for a good prep when he resumed for third here back in December, following that effort up with a luckless run for sixth in the Christmas Classic at Canterbury where was held up down the straight.
He was never a factor last time out in the Magic Millions Cup on the Gold Coast, but that was largely due to a bad ride off the speed. The Snowden’s have made a few gear changes, and back to a track he’s performed well on previously, I’m confident he can improve.
