February 11, 2016
A strong racing program of two Group 2 races and two Group 3 races will headline Nelune Foundation Apollo Stakes Day this Saturday, 13 February at Royal Randwick.
Guests at Royal Randwick take advantage of the great value Summer Super Saver, which will be available for purchase at ticketek.com.au. For only $20, the Summer Super Saver provides $45 worth of value including entry to the racecourse, one standard drink, one Vili’s pie, a $5 TAB voucher and free entry to another summer race day on the calendar.
The highlight of the day is the running of the Group 2 $250,000 Optus Business Apollo Stakes and will feature the return of Chris Waller-trained Winx to the track.
The four-year-old has opened as the short priced $1.55 TAB Fixed Odds favourite following a dominating spring campaign which saw her take out the Group 1 The Star Epsom and Group 1 Cox Plate.
Winx will line up in Group 1 company with four other contenders tasting success at the top level, including stablemates Who Shot Thebarman ($71.00 TAB Fixed Odds) and Grand Marshall ($201.00 TAB Fixed Odds), John O’Shea’s Magic Hurricane ($31.00 TAB Fixed Odds) and Gust of Wind ($51.00 TAB Fixed Odds) for John Sargent.
Australian Turf Club Chief Operating Officer Tony Partridge said that Winx will be a good drawcard for racing fans this Saturday.
“It will be great to welcome crowd favourite Winx back to the track this weekend. She is a classy mare and this run will give punters a taste of what will be on show this Sydney Autumn Carnival,’’ said Mr Partridge.
“Patrons should also take advantage of the Australian Turf Club’s Summer Super Saver, which will only be available for the next two weeks. The $20 ticket offers racegoers exceptional value for an all-inclusive day at the races.”
Following the running of Race 2, First Seal (Hugh Bowman) and Honesta (Tye Angland) for John Thompson will run in an Exhibition Gallop over 1000m.
The Group 2 $175,000 Liberty International Underwriters Light Fingers Stakes is the other racing feature in what will be a wide-open race.
Punters cannot separate Kangarilla Joy from the Snowden stable and Ghisoni for John O’Shea, with both opening at $3.80 TAB Fixed Odds.
Both three-year-old Lonhro progenies will be looking for a hat-trick of wins when they face the starter on Saturday.
Competition will come from Stay With Me ($4.20 TAB Fixed Odds) for the training duo of David Hayes and Tom Dabernig. Proven over the distance, this will be the filly’s first run following a three-month spell.
Five of the nine acceptors have opened in single figures in the Group 3 $150,000 DX Solutions Southern Cross Stakes with John O’Shea’s Generalife slightly favoured ($3.40 TAB Fixed Odds) over Rich Enuff ($4.00 TAB Fixed Odds) and last start winner Boss Lane ($5.00 TAB Fixed Odds) for Ron Quinton.
Ron Quinton has also entered Peeping ($4.40 TAB Fixed Odds) in the Group 2 $150,000 Robrick Lodge Triscay Stakes who opened on the second line of betting.
Private Secretary ($3.80 TAB Fixed Odds) has opened as the favourite after a sound run in the Magic Millions Fillies and Mares Handicap in January.
Gates Open at 11.30am with the first race at 12.40pm.
Royal Randwick offers a bus service running from Eddy Avenue directly to the course, with return services later in the day.
For all ticketing, hospitality, racing and general information visit www.theATC.com.au.
Photo: Bradley Photos