Randwick Racing Tips: Apollo Stakes Preview

Optus Business Apollo Stakes 1400m – Group 2

The Apollo Stakes is the headline race on the Randwick card this weekend and it will draw plenty of attention with the return of Cox Plate winner Winx.

As well as Chris Waller’s superstar mare there is also a host of Group 1 quality stayers that resume on their paths to The Championships in the Sydney autumn.

Among those are Who Shot TheBarman, Magic Hurricane, Grand Marshall, Hauraki, Gust Of Wind and Bohemian Lily, all of which will be better suited up in distance further on in their campaigns.

Perhaps the most likely stayer to make an impact would be the Metropolitan winner Magic Hurricane, who recorded a victory first up last campaign over 1400m.

One runner I’m particularly interested in seeing in Sydney is former Hong Kong galloper Dibayani for David Hayes and Tom Dabernig. His best form in Hong Kong would be good enough to feature here, but he didn’t appreciate the Melbourne way of going in his first Australian preparation. Reports are his work in Sydney has been significantly better given that’s the direction he ran in Hong Kong. He might need the run first up but his record over 1400m is decent.

The logical danger to the favourite is Solicit, who has been racing in terrific form for a while now. The 1200m first up was simply too short for her and her form over 1400m is much better. She draws to get a great run from barrier 4 and she has race fitness on her side. However, her two starts at Randwick have seen her beaten a combined 69 lengths, so that is slightly concerning.

The other horse in the race with fitness on his side is Centre Pivot, who is having his fifth run of the campaign. His last two starts in Brisbane have been good and he holds a decent record at both this track and over 1400m. He is obviously a few levels below the best horses in this race and the WFA weight scale doesn’t favour him, but with fitness on his side he could sneak a placing.

The one they all have to get past, however, is obviously the $1.50 favourite Winx. She’s undefeated in her last 5 runs, three of which have been at Group 1 level. Her win first up in the Theo Marks last campaign was one of the most freakish victories I’ve ever seen, and that was over 1300m so the 1400m today should pose no problem. She is a superstar and should take care of this lot with ease.

I’m going to take a punt on the fact that Solicit has really struggled at Randwick in the past, so while she may very well run a big race from the front, I wouldn’t be surprised to see her beaten a long way. Centre Pivot’s race fitness could give him a place chance, and look for Dibayani and Magic Hurricane late.

1st WINX – $1.50 at William Hill
2nd DIBAYANI – $9.50 at William Hill
3rd MAGIC HURRICANE – $26 at William Hill
4th CENTRE PIVOT – $17 at William Hill