The Group 2 Apollo Stakes is the feature event on a stellar racing card this Saturday at Randwick. With autumn in the air and some of the best horses in the country resuming, find out who our experts are casting their eyes on.
Randwick Race 1
#1 King's Gambit
King’s Gambit can bounce back here after being beaten last start at $1.28. The small field never suited the I Am Invincible colt, and to his credit, he hit the line strongly once the bird had flown. He should be fitter for that outing and get the last crack at them on Saturday. The awkward barrier is the primary concern.
Don Corleone looks ultra-talented. His debut win was electric, and he is well placed to continue on his winning ways. At present, James Mcdonald could ride a broomstick to victory, and the Snowden camp is astute two-year-old trainers. The Extreme Choice colt could be a very valuable commodity moving forward.
Ganbare looks over the odds. His win on debut at Canberra was tough and determined. He can be thereabouts with the right run in transit.
Suggested Bet: King’s Gambit @ $3.80
Randwick RACE 4
#10 Frumos
Frumos finally steps up to the mile. From barrier 3, I expect her to get the ideal run, and she looks well placed here with 53kg. She ran well last start in a similar race carrying the grandstand, and the William Pike factor must be respected. She can camp on the leader’s back, and with even luck, she can return to her winning ways.
Major Artie will start favourite after a consistent campaign to date. He is knocking on the door for a well-deserved win, and he is proven over this trip. Nash Rawiller has options from barrier five, and the Artie Schiller gelding has been crunched in early markets. Saturday is looming as D-Day for punters as he is becoming expensive to follow.
Bold Mac doesn’t know how to run a bad race. Despite the wide draw, I expect him to figure in the finish if he can find a spot in the running line. The record at a distance is the biggest concern.
Suggested Bet: Frumos @ $7.00
Randwick Race 8
#1 Anamoe
The best horse in the country resumes in the feature event of the day. The price of admission is worth every cent to see Godolphin’s most successful Group 1 performed horse. His spring campaign was one for the ages, and his win in the Cox Plate was simply breathtaking. How can they beat him here? They can’t! He has won four from six attempts at the track and three out of four at the distance. The first-up record may be the only chinch in his armour.
Fangirl can run well here fresh. Her first-up run behind Anamoe in the spring was blistering, and 1400m is probably her pet distance. Kerrin Mcevoy has options from a middle gate, and if she gets the right run in-transit, I expect her to be in the finish.
Mo’unga can be thereabouts despite not troubling the judge since the moon landing. He ran exceptionally well in the spring without winning, and if the penny drops this campaign, he could win some serious autumn features.
Suggested Bet: Anamoe @ $1.80
Randwick Race 9
#13 Po Kare Kare
I am prepared to forgive Po Kare Kare, who was luckless in running last start. She won brilliantly fresh and looks ideally placed to return to the winner’s enclosure. 53kg is a luxury, and this race is well within her means. The 1200m is perfect third-up from a spell, and I expect a peak run on Saturday.
Norwegian Bliss will have supporters after chasing home a smart one at Caulfield last start. Her career record speaks for itself, and she still looks to have plenty of upside. If she can overcome being drawn in the carpark, she will be in the finish.
Kir Royale is rock-hard fit. She got the money third-up from a spell, and she can win again on Saturday from a middle alley. If the more credentialed horses resuming aren’t fully wound up, she can produce a killer blow with Willia Pike aboard.
Suggested Bet: Po Kare Kare @ $14.00
