The Group 2 Apollo Stakes headlines a ten-race program at Royal Randwick this Saturday.  

While the Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival doesn’t start for another month, there is no denying that it is just around the corner with Saturday’s card boasting other black-type features such as the Group 2 Expressway Stakes and Light Fingers Stakes plus the Group 3 Triscay Stakes

Our best bets for every contest can be found in our 2024 Apollo Stakes Day Preview below. 

Race 1 - 12:30pm AEDT

COOLMORE PIERRO PLATE (1100 METRES)

Switzerland (2) could not have been more impressive when debuting over 1000m here last start.  

The Snitzel colt settled handy before sprinting hard and fast when the gap came in the straight to easily win by 2.7 lengths. 

He’ll have come on from that run and the slight rise in distance looks ideal. 

Chris Waller has enlisted his main man James McDonald to ride the Golden Slipper second favourite. 

3 Units – Switzerland (2) 

Race 2 - 1:05pm AEDT

MIDWAY HANDICAP (1000 METRES)

Rebel Dean (4) was beaten by the barrier last start at Canterbury over 1100m. 

The four-year-old gelding was forced to settle too far back after drawing wide but came with a powerful burst to finish 0.8L second. 

Prior to that he wasn’t far off Tintookie and Our Kobison in stronger class races than this. 

He’s rock hard fit, and he can settle a closer for Tommy Berry from a kind a draw. 

1 Unit – Rebel Dean (4) 

Race 3 - 1:40pm AEDT

HIGHWAY HANDICAP (1800 METRES)

Fay’s Angels (1) returned in much better order than the form guide would indicate last start over 1500m at Rosehill. 

The Karen Owen-trained mare was held up in the straight and then impeded late when appearing to have plenty to offer, yet she still was only 1.7 lengths behind the winner Lensman.  

She historically improves second-up and finished second in the only previous time she competed over this course and distance.  

Madeline Owen, who claims 3kg, can settle in a prominent position from an inside draw. 

1 Unit – Fay’s Angels (1)   

Race 4 - 2:15pm AEDT

KIA ORA STUD HANDICAP (1300 METRES)

Tashi (9) impressed when resuming over 1200m at this venue last start.  

The Team Snowden-trained mare ran on strongly and found plenty when challenged late to win by a head. 

She’ll strip fitter second-up and the slight rise in distance suits given she has won over it previously. 

Tom Sherry can take advantage of the light weight and settle just behind the speed before launching in the straight. 

1 Unit – Tashi (9) 

Race 5 - 2:50pm AEDT

GROUP 2 JAMES SQUIRE EXPRESSWAY STAKES (1200 METRES)

Buenos Noches (4) heads to the races for the first time since finishing a half-length second to the highly talented Imperatriz in the Group 1 VRC Classic during the Melbourne Spring Racing Carnival

The son of Supido warmed up for this first-up assignment with two trials where he was given any easy time before working to the line strongly. 

He races well fresh and resumed last preparation with a dominant win in the Group 3 Show County Quality over this course and distance. 

The likely strong tempo will work to his advantage. 

2 Units – Buenos Noches (4)  

Race 6 - 3:25pm AEDT

GROUP 3 ROBRICK LODGE TRISCAY STAKES (1200 METRES)

Olentia (5) resumes here looking to keep her unbeaten first-up record intact. 

The Chris Waller-trained Zoustar mare has won three from three when fresh including last preparation when bolting in by 2.8 lengths over 1200m at Rosehill. 

She’s had three trials in readiness for this year’s Triscay Stakes so she should have a great fitness base for a bold showing.  

They should move along at a strong speed in front which will help her get home over the top of them. 

1 Unit – Olentia (5) 

Race 7 - 4:00pm AEDT

GROUP 2 PETALUMA APOLLO STAKES (1400 METRES)

The Group 2 Apollo Stakes looks a great starting point for Fangirl’s (8) Autumn Carnival. 

The Chris Waller-trained Sebring mare warmed up for this with two trial where she typically settled back before running strongly through the line.  

She races well fresh and won the Group 1 Winx Stakes over this course and distance when resuming last preparation.  

She’s well weighted and will have James McDonald in the saddle who has won four of five starts on her.  

3 Units – Fangirl (8)   

Race 8 - 4:35PM AEDT

GROUP 2 LIGHT FINGERS STAKES (1200 METRES)

Learning To Fly (3) resumes here following two ultra-impressive trials. 

The Annabel Neasham-trained Justify filly worked well within herself to win and defeat Kimochi and Griff. 

Her first preparation was excellent with wins in the Group 3 Widden Stakes, the Inglis Millenium and Group 2 Reisling Stakes before losing the rider and being found to be lame in the Group 1 Golden Slipper.  

She’s drawn the outside gate but she possesses the early speed to cross and either lead or settle in a prominent position. 

1 Unit – Learning To Fly (3) 

Race 9 - 5:15pm AEDT

RANVET HANDICAP (1600 METRES)

Redstone Well (7) is an import who looks ready to fire at his third Australian run. 

The Annabel Neasham-trained five-year-old gelding improved second-up when finding the line well to finish second by 2.3 lengths over this course and distance.  

He’s undefeated in two starts when having his third run back in a preparation. 

In a telling move for stable confidence, Neasham has booked James McDonald to ride.  

1 Unit – Redstone Well (7) 

Race 10 - 5:55pm AEDT

CHANDON GARDEN SPRITZ HANDICAP (1400 METRES)

Thunderlips (9) improved significantly second-up over 1200m at Warwick Farm. 

The three-year-old son of Zoustar settled handy before charging to the line to win easily by two-lengths.  

The change of tactics to go forward last start worked a treat so a repeat from the inside gate looks likely. 

The Bjorn Baker stable is low flying at the moment and this guy can make it back-to-back Saturday last race victories for the popular Kiwi. 

1 Unit – Thunderlips (9)