THE AGENCY APOLLO STAKES LAUNCHES A HOST OF STARS AT ROYAL RANDWICK
February 10, 2022
Australia’s Horse Of The Year in a stellar field and a group of rising stars across a strong card feature at Royal Randwick this Saturday as Sydney racing steps up another gear towards the official start of the Australian Turf Club’s Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.
10-time Group 1 winner Verry Elleegant returns to the track in the day’s main event – the Group 2 $250,000 The Agency Apollo Stakes – where she is a $4.60-$5 TAB second favourite for trainer Chris Waller and James McDonald.
Multiple Group 1 winner Think It Over is the early $4.60-$4.20 TAB favourite for Kembla Grange trainer Kerry Parker and jockey Nash Rawiller after the trio’s hugely successful Everest Carnival which ended with three consecutive feature victories and a $1 million prizemoney bonus.
Godolphin’s Golden Eagle and Australian Oaks winner Colette has been strongly backed into third favourite ($11-$7.50 TAB) for James Cummings and Tim Clark ahead of Riodini for Royal Randwick trainers Gai Waterhouse and Adrian Bott and ridden by Rachel King ($11-$8 TAB) in the 14-horse field.
The Agency Apollo Stakes field collectively has won more than $47 million in prizemoney.
Australian Turf Club Executive General Manager Racing and Wagering James Ross said The Agency Apollo Stakes had attracted a high-class field which included seven Group 1 winners.
“The Agency Apollo Stakes field has again attracted a high-quality field including two of the nation’s very best weight for age gallopers,’’ Mr Ross said.
“Saturday’s meeting is strong across the card and continues an exciting build up to the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival including more emerging contenders for the Longines Golden Slipper.’’
The Group 2 $200,000 TAB Light Fingers Stakes sees the highly anticipated return of Chris Waller’s boom filly Espiona ($1.50-$1.55 -$1.50 TAB) with James McDonald aboard.
Talented stablemate Fangirl with jockey Hugh Bowman has been backed early ($8-$7.50 TAB) while Jamaea sits third in the TAB market, also well backed from $13-$8.50.
Saturday’s 10-race card also sees another pathway race to the $5 million Longines Golden Slipper, with the $150,000 Coolmore Pierro Plate to open the day’s racing.
First starter Metallicity (Peter and Paul Snowden/jockey Tommy Berry) who already sits on the third line of TAB betting for the Longines Golden Slipper has been strongly backed in Saturday’s race ($2-$2.15-$1.90 TAB).
Full fields for all ten races at Royal Randwick are available here and full TAB markets for each race can be viewed here.
The Royal Randwick track was rated a soft 5 on Thursday morning with a report recorded with Racecourse Manager Michael Wood can be viewed below.
For all racing, general and ticketing information go to australianturfclub.com.au including hospitality packages at Rosehill Gardens and Royal Randwick for the upcoming Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival.