The Group racing action of the Sydney Autumn Carnival continues this Saturday, February 19, at Rosehill Gardens where a cracker line-up is highlighted by the $250,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m).
A weight-for-age showdown for horses aged three and over, the 2011 Apollo Stakes has attracted 12 nominations including star seven-year-old mare Hot Danish.
Les Bridge’s daughter of Nothin Leica Dane resumed for the season running a game third behind Centennial Park in the Group 2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) at Rosehill on February 5 and is set to improve second-up in the Apollo.
Expressway Stakes winner Centennial Park is also backing up in the Apollo Stakes on Saturday with Corey Brown retaining the mount on the David Payne-trained gelding, as is runner-up Mossman four-year-old Love Conquers All.
Leading Sydney trainer Chris Waller has entered two from his stables with Expressway Stakes fourth placegetter Danleigh and Danasinga gelding Metal Bender first-up for the season.
Other notable 2011 Apollo Stakes entries include the Peter Snowden-trained Redoute’s Choice five-year-old Drumbeats and the Gerald Ryan-trained Redoute’s Choice mare Melito resuming for the season.
The final field of Apollo Stakes 2011 acceptors will be released on Wednesday and published here first at Races.com.au.
Flemington will be host to Saturday’s major showdown with Black Caviar and Hay List set for a rematch in the $750,000 Group 1 Lightning Stakes (1000m).
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2011 Apollo Stakes Field
| No. | Horse (Barrier) | Luxbet Odds | $400 Free Bet Win |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | DANLEIGH (10) | 9.00 | $3,600 |
| 2 | METAL BENDER (NZ) (7) | 19 | $7,600 |
| 3 | CENTENNIAL PARK (NZ) (6) | 7.50 | $3,000 |
| 4 | LOVE CONQUERS ALL (8) | 4.60 | $2,000 |
| 5 | VISION AND POWER (NZ) (4) | 41 | $16,400 |
| 6 | LORNE DANCER (3) | 21 | $8,400 |
| 7 | HOT DANISH (5) | 3.30 | $1,320 |
| 8 | MELITO (9) | 4.80 | $1,920 |
| 9 | ONCE WERE WILD (1) | 12 | $4,800 |
| 10 | RUN FOR NAARA (2) | 101 | $40,400 |
*Your free bet can be wagered on any fixed odds market with a dividend of $1.50 or greater.
Note: Odds are subject to change and correct at time of publication 10:30AM AEDST 18/02/2011.
2011 Apollo Stakes Nominations
| # | Horse | Trainer | H. Rating |
|---|---|---|---|
| 1 | CENTENNIAL PARK (NZ) | David Payne | 108 |
| 2 | DANLEIGH | Chris Waller | 116 |
| 3 | DRUMBEATS | Peter Snowden | 105 |
| 4 | HOT DANISH | Les Bridge | 117 |
| 5 | LORNE DANCER | Gai Waterhouse | 105 |
| 6 | LOVE CONQUERS ALL | Michael, Wayne & John Hawkes | 107 |
| 7 | MELITO | Gerald Ryan | 114 |
| 8 | METAL BENDER (NZ) | Chris Waller | – |
| 9 | ONCE WERE WILD | Gai Waterhouse | – |
| 10 | RUN FOR NAARA | John P Thompson | 100 |
| 11 | TRADER | Anthony Cummings | 95 |
| 12 | VISION AND POWER (NZ) | Joseph Pride | 107 |
