Some of the Sydney autumn’s biggest races continues to take shape this Saturday with another quality card set at Royal Randwick.
The Group 2 Apollo Stakes sees the likes of Think It Over, Cascadian, and Fangirl return to the races, while the Light Fingers shapes as a key lead up for several fillies looking ahead to the Coolmore Classic next month.
There are 10 winners to be found, and we’ve scoured the entire program in our 2024 Apollo Stakes Day Preview here!
Coolmore Pierro Plate (1100m) – 11:30am AEDT
Switzerland will no doubt have his fair share of support coming off an eye-catching win on debut three weeks ago.
The Snitzel colt went around at an equally short price and did not disappoint, biding his time patiently along the fence before kicking clear to win by nearly three lengths once a gap opened up.
There looks to be good early speed on paper, which should suit James McDonald perfectly if the pair can land midfield.
Fitter and out over further, the Golden Slipper could be in his sights with another win here.
Suggested Bet: No. 2 Switzerland
Midway Handicap (1000m) – 12:05pm AEDT
Rebel Dean has finally drawn an inside gate ahead of his fourth run back.
The Price-trained son of Rebel Dane finds it tough to win at times, but he did hand in a pleasing effort two back at Rosehill where he found the line late off a wide run for fourth, beaten only 2.5 lengths by the impressive Our Kobison.
His most recent effort when runner-up at Canterbury was just as solid, spotting the leaders a start from the wide barrier before giving good chase down the straight.
That was Tommy Berry’s first go in the irons, and given how well he’s run at this level in the past, we should see further improvement.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Rebel Dean
Class 3 Handicap (1800m) – 12:40pm AEDT
Capaldi looks a decent each-way play in an impossible race.
The six-year-old by Savabeel lugged 62kg’s over much further at Scone three weeks ago, held up in traffic at the top of the straight before making up some ground to grab third bravely in the end.
The Kiwi import won well over the 1800m trip at Gilgrandra the start prior and does get the added benefit of Kerrin McEvoy aboard on this occasion.
He hasn’t done much racing in town, but this isn’t completely out of his grasp from a nice soft gate.
Suggested Bet: No. 6 Capaldi
KIA Ora Stud Handicap (1300m) – 1:15pm AEDT
Tashi looks to be in for a fruitful prep if she can build on her first-up win over 1200m.
The Snowden-trained mare made it tougher than she needed, appearing well on her way to a comfortable win when she hit the front at the 400m mark, but failing to switch up a gear when a challenge was presented down the outside.
Even so, she still stuck on bravely to find the line and does have a win over a similar distance to her name at Canterbury last year.
Fitter and proven in all conditions, she looks the one to beat.
Suggested Bet: No. 9 Tashi
Group 2 James Squire Expressway Stakes (1200m) – 1:50pm AEDT
This feels like a pretty clear target race for Buenos Noches and the Matthew Smith Team.
The Supido entire spent time racing at Group 1 level last year, finishing runner-up to Imperatriz in the Champions Sprint down the straight at Flemington last time out, a mare that is arguably the country’s best sprinter right now.
Surprisingly, the stable has opted to head to Sydney, but off two decent trials, maybe they are keen to add some black-type to the resume and build toward something bigger.
Either way, proven fresh and likely to get back early with some good speed expected, the Expressway Stakes looks the perfect race for him.
Suggested Bet: No. 4 Buenos Noches
Group 3 Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes (1200m) – 2:25pm AEDT
Olentia is a mare to watch from the Chris Waller yard as she progresses through the autumn.
The daughter of Zoustar is unbeaten in three attempts first-up, and was last seen tackling tougher races over the spring where she most recently finished down the order in The Invitation over further.
Uncharacteristically, her recent trials have left a bit to be desired, but this does set up nicely for her to get back toward the tail and run on late.
Whether she’s up to bigger races than this is the question, but another first-up win here in the Triscay Stakes would likely go a long way.
Suggested Bet: No. 5 Olentia
Group 2 Petaluma Apollo Stakes (1400m) – 3:00pm AEDT
Taking the seemingly safe route with Fangirl, providing the weather cooperates.
We know how well this Group 1 winning mare goes fresh, not to mention her outstanding record here at Randwick that features four wins and as many placings.
Her spring prep was highlighted with a barnstorming win in the King Charles, wrapping things up in the Champions Mile where she was 2.6 lengths off Pride Of Jenni.
Like always, she’ll get back in the run from barrier 8, and providing there isn’t too much rain between now and race day, anything close to a Soft 7 should still be okay.
Suggested Bet: No. 8 Fangirl
Group 2 Light Fingers Stakes (1200m) – 3:35pm AEDT
Happy to see Learning To Fly back at the races after nearly a year off the scene.
We last saw Annabel Neasham’s filly in the Golden Slipper where she was interfered with badly at the top of the straight, and eventually found to be lame post-race.
The barrier isn’t great, but her recent trials leading in have been superb, while she’s also proven herself at Group 2 level when winning the Reisling as a two-year-old.
We know what she’s capable of at her best, and if she gets a clear crack at them with luck in running, she should be very hard to hold out in the Light Fingers Stakes.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Learning To Fly
Ranvet Handicap (1600m) – 4:15pm AEDT
Louisville has been up for a while, but he has held his form rather nicely to return a win and four placings from his last five starts.
Chris Waller’s gelding drops back sharply from the 2000m trip he contested a few weeks ago, an effort that saw him wide when straightening where he eventually ran out of petrol in the end.
The mile has been happy hunting grounds for the five-year-old, winning his maiden over this trip last year and placing runner-up three starts back.
The blinkers going on for the first time is an interesting gear change to note, and if it is wet at this point int he day, he should handle some sting out of the track.
Suggested Bet: No. 10 Louisville
Chandon Garden Spiritz Handicap (1400m) – 4:55pm AEDT
Gracilistyla has shown real improvement in his last two starts to suggest another win might be close.
Chris Waller’s five-year-old doesn’t win out of turn, but he has appeared in good order running a place in his last two efforts at Rosehill around the same distance range.
The booking of James McDonald is something to note, and he could find conditions to suit given all of his wins have come on rain-affected going.
Suggested Bet: No. 3 Gracilistyla