GALAXY OF STARS GROUP AT ROYAL RANDWICK FOR INGLIS MILLENNIUM DAY
Some of Australia's best horses will compete at Royal Randwick
February 8, 2023
A cavalcade of some of Australia’s best horses across four Group races and the fifth running of the $2 million Inglis Millennium highlight a huge 10-race card at Royal Randwick this Saturday ahead of a record-breaking Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
Just four weeks from the official start of the $41 million Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival, Saturday heralds the return of seven-time Group 1 winner Anamoe in the 50th renewal of the Group 2 $250,000 TAB Apollo Stakes and Godolphin stablemate In Secret in the Group 2 $250,000 TAB Light Fingers Stakes.
The $2 Inglis Millennium sees 16 two-year-olds run for big prizemoney and bonuses and continues a pathway towards the Group 1 $5 million Longines Golden Slipper at Rosehill Gardens next month.
The Group 3 $200,000 Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes and Group 3 $200,000 Davali Thoroughbreds Southern Cross Stakes add extra blacktype to the meeting.
Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering James Ross said Saturday’s meeting gave racegoers an early look at Autumn stars.
“The 50th running of the TAB Apollo Stakes features nine individual Group 1 winners who have collectively won 16 Group 1 races and total career prizemoney of almost $35 million,’’ Mr Ross said.
“This year’s field again bears out the quality of this race which has a long honour roll of champions such as Winx, Racing To Win, Desert War, Grand Armee, Sunline, Beau Zam, Red Anchor and Emancipation.
“Last year’s Apollo Stakes winner Think It Over went on to win the Longines Queen Elizabeth Stakes and the previous year multiple Group 1 winner and a Golden Eagle winner in Colette took out the Apollo.
“The Australian Turf Club is also delighted to join with our strong partner Inglis for the fifth renewal of the Inglis Millennium, as they continue to innovate around this race with a $400,000 Pink Bonus to encourage female ownership and syndications.’’
Full fields for Saturday’s meeting are here and full TAB Fixed Odds markets for all ten races are here.
Superstar Godolphin galloper Anamoe for trainer James Cummings and the world’s best jockey in James McDonald opens a $1.90 TAB Fixed Odds favourite in the Group 2 TAB Apollo Stakes.
Anamoe has won four races from six starts at Royal Randwick, including two from two over the Royal Randwick 1400m, and in 18 starts at Group 1 and Group 2 level has only missed a place twice.
Another multiple Group 1 winner Mo’Unga – trained by Annabel Neasham and Nash Rawiller aboard – is at $7-$7.50 TAB ahead of third favourite El Bodegon (Chris Waller and Tim Clark) at $8-$8.50 TAB.
In the $2 million Inglis Millennium, Warwick Farm’s Annabel Neasham trains the early $2.90-$3 TAB favourite, filly Learning to Fly for jockey Chad Schofield, ahead of filly Kundalini ($7 TAB) for trainers Ciaron Maher and David Eustace and jockey Jason Collett.
Chad Schofield is looking to win back-to-back Inglis Millenniums while two other riders in the race, visiting UK star Tom Marquand (Dorothy Gail) and popular Sydney jockey Josh Parr (Hellish) are also looking to become dual winners of the race.
In Secret – a horse being touted as an Everest contender – is a $2.30-1.85 TAB Fixed Odds favourite as she resumes in the Group 2 TAB Light Fingers Stakes for Godolphin, James Cummings and Nash Rawiller.
The stable is looking to win the race for the third time in six years.
In Secret’s odds have shortened since the scratching on Wednesday afternoon of the Chris Waller trained Zougothcha.
Reigning Longines Golden Slipper champion Fireburn for trainer Gary Portelli and jockey Brenton Avdulla is an $8-$6.50 second favourite.
For all racing, general and ticketing information go to theraces.com.au for upcoming racedays along with the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick.