An Autumn Glow Looms Over Royal Randwick As Stars Return On Apollo Stakes Day

11 February, 2026

A stellar line up of equine stars across four Group races come together for a blockbuster pre-Autumn program this Saturday on Apollo Stakes Day at Royal Randwick.

The rising superstar of Australian racing Autumn Glow returns in the Group 2 $300,000 Petaluma Apollo Stakes – attempting to extend her unbeaten record to nine career victories.

The Chris Waller mare with James McDonald aboard takes on a super field of multiple Group 1 winners including Ceolwulf (Joe Pride/Chad Schofield), Antino (Tony Gollan/Tommy Berry), Stefi Magnetica (Bjorn Baker/Jason Collett) and two other Waller Racing stars in Aeliana (Zac Lloyd) and Lindermann (Nash Rawiller).

The 10-horse field collectively has earned just on $40 million in career prizemoney.

The Group 2 $300,000 TAB Light Fingers Stakes features some of Australia’s best three-year-old fillies headed by boom galloper Apocalyptic, trained by Michael Freedman with Tommy Berry aboard.

Three top Chris Waller sprinters – Joliestar, Angel Capital and Lady Shenandoah – clash in the Group 2 $300,000 Asahi Super Dry Expressway Stakes while Saturday’s 10-race card adds another feature in the Group 3 $250,000 Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes.

Australian Turf Club Interim CEO Steve McMahon said Saturday’s meeting was packed with some of Australia’s very best.

“Autumn is always right at the door on Apollo Stakes Day, and the depth in this Saturday’s features is amongst the strongest we have seen at this meeting in recent memory,’’ Mr McMahon said.

“Sydney racing fans and Australian Turf Club Members can expect world-class racing at iconic Royal Randwick as we head towards the official start of the Autumn Racing Carnival.’’

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

Autumn Glow has opened a $1.50 TAB Fixed Odds favourite in the Group 2 $300,000 Petaluma Apollo Stakes, with Ceolwulf at $6 and Aeliana at $8.50.

Sixteen of the past 20 winners of the race have started in the top three favourites.

The Waller stable is aiming to win the Petaluma Apollo Stakes for the seventh time in a decade.

Joliestar (McDonald) a first-up winner in 4 of 6 campaigns is a $2.60 opening TAB Fixed Odds favourite in the Asahi Dry Expressway Stakes ahead of Angel Capital (Zac Lloyd) and Lady Shenandoah both at $4.60 TAB.

Again, 16 winners since 2005 have been in the top three starting prices.

Apocalyptic is at the top of betting in the TAB Light Fingers Stakes, opening at $1.55 TAB Fixed Odds followed by Savvy Hallie – trained by Brad Widdup and with Nash Rawiller to ride – at $4.20 TAB Fixed Odds.

Those horses dominate the market ahead of the next in betting at $12 TAB – Karinska (Waller/McDonald)

The Group 3 $250,000 Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes has a more wide-open betting market with Weeping Woman for trainer Joe Pride opening at $4.40 TAB Fixed Odds

General admission tickets for the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival – which runs from 14 March to 18 April at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick – are on sale, including the popular reserved trackside packages.

For all racing, ticketing and general information visit www.theraces.com.au.

AUSTRALIAN TURF CLUB MEDIA CONTACT:

Brett de Vine

0419 613 455

bdevine@theATC.com.au