STARS RETURN ON APOLLO STAKES DAY AT ROYAL RANDWICK

15 February, 2024

A high-class field of some of Australia’s best weight-for-age horses and two of Sydney’s top two-year-old colts heading towards the TAB Golden Slipper are among a host of highlights at Royal Randwick this Saturday.

Apollo Stakes Day – just four weeks ahead of the official start of the Sydney Autumn Carnival – features four Group races including the Group 2 $300,000 Petaluma Apollo Stakes and a crucial pathway race to the $5 million TAB Golden Slipper in the $160,000 Coolmore Pierro Plate.

The 10-race card also features the Group 2 $300,000 TAB Light Fingers Stakes and Group 2 $300,000 James Squire Expressway Stakes.

Australian Turf Club Head Of Racing and Wagering said Saturday’s program continued several months of consecutive Saturdays of Group and listed racing in Sydney.

“The Petaluma Apollo Stakes has attracted six Group 1 winners and some of the nation’s best in Fangirl, Militarize and Think It Over in a stellar renewal,’’ Mr Ross said.

“This year’s TAB Golden Slipper already shapes as one of the highest quality and open in recent decades and continues its build up this Saturday in the Coolmore Pierro Plate with two of the first three in Slipper betting, Shangri La Express and Switzerland.

“Saturday’s card gives an early test to another a exciting Sydney Autumn Racing carnival as we head towards some of Sydney’s most iconic races.’’

Full fields for all races at Royal Randwick this Saturday are available here and full TAB markets are available here.

Fangirl for champion Sydney trainer and jockey combination Chris Waller and James McDonald has opened a strongly backed $2.50-$2.30 favourite with TAB in the Petaluma Apollo Stakes ahead of boom stablemate Militarize ($4.40) ridden by Kerrin McEvoy.

For all racing, ticketing and general information go to theraces.com.au