Despite missing a place as a short-priced favourite when resuming in the G2 Expressway Stakes a fortnight ago, punters are sticking with Chris Waller’s Boban in this Saturday’s Apollo Stakes. He has opened up at $2.80 just in advance of Appearance, winner of the Expressway Stakes, at $3.30. Victorian galloper Speediness is next at $4.80 with Pinwheel and Rain Drum at $9.00.
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1. BOBAN – N Rawiller (7) 59kg
The dual Group 1 winner from the spring made his much anticipated return to racing in the G2 Expressway Stakes a fortnight ago as the 11/8 favourite. As expected he got back in the run and didn’t have a great deal of room in the first half of the straight, but still expected to see a bit more from him over the final stages when in the clear. Maybe too much was expected off him first up and here, over 1400m where his record reads much better, he can easily bounce back.
2. MORIARTY – C Brown (8) 59kg
Returned to racing off an eleven week spell over the unsuitable distance of 1200m in the G2 Expressway Stakes a fortnight ago. From the tail of the field the Chris Waller trained galloper was only starting to warm to his task at the end of the race and did well to run eighth, 4.2 lengths behind Appearance. He’ll certainly strip fitter and whilst better suited to further ground still than that of Saturday’s race, he’ll be warming up nicely again late.
3. PINWHEEL – (9) 59kgs
Fantastic old galloper, now a rising 9yo, he also resumed off a nine week break in the G2 Expressway Stakes. He found a nice spot in the run from a wide gate just behind the leading bunch and whilst he tried hard in the run home, was no match for Appearance and finished fourth (2.7 lengths). Will no doubt give his all again but in the twilight of his career now and may find this grade just a touch too strong.
4. SPEEDINESS – J Cassidy (4) 59kgs
Victorian galloper who got a long way back and was caught wide when resuming in the G2 Expressway Stakes a couple of weeks back. He, like a number of his competitors, where only fair in the run home and he crossed the line in sixth spot – 3.1 lengths behind Appearance. The Testa Rossa 6yo ran a fantastic half length fourth in the G1 Rupert Clarke (1400m) last prep and is capable of producing an improved run.
5. HOWMUCHDOYOULOVEME – J Collett (5) 59kgs
Grand effort first up off a seven month break with 60kgs, to run a gallant second to Knoydart (since won the Hareeba Stakes in impressive fashion) in the Listed Canterbury Classic (1100m). His next and most recent start, saw him take on a better grade of a horse again under WFA conditions but the 5yo by Written Tycoon was found wanting. He settled on the speed and offered little resistance in the straight, finishing second to last and almost six lengths behind winner Appearance. Takes on 1400m for the first time and will find the quality of opposition no easier.
6. SIZZLING – SCRATCHED
7. RAIN DRUM – T Berry (3) 59kgs
An amazing effort to return last September off a fifteen month break and claim the G2 Shannon Stakes (1500m) first up. The Gai Waterhouse 6yo held that form when he then ventured to Melbourne for three starts during the spring which included a close up fourth to Toydini in the G2 Crystal Mile (1600m) and a half length third in the G3 Eclipse Stakes (1800m). As was the case before the Shannon, he has been tuned up for his return with two good barrier trials. He’ll settle up on the speed and is capable of offering plenty of cheek.
8. ALMA’S FURY – T Clark (10) 59kgs
He ran his typically honest race when third in the G3 Villiers (1600m) behind Ninth Legion last December, before making the trek to Toowoomba in the hope of making it successive victories in the Listed Bernborough Handicap on New Year’s Eve Under the steadier of 60kgs, he could only manage seventh and was then given seven weeks off. He returned a fortnight ago and did well to run sixth behind in-from gallopers Red Excitement and Kinnersley who dead-heated in an Open race over a mile. Will strip fitter for that run and look to take up a forward position from his wide gate.
9. TREMEC – N Berry (1) 59kgs
Stayer resuming who last preparation, ran last in three of his four races. NO
10. APPEARANCE – B Shinn (2) 57kgs
Guy Walter’s mare left them with no excuse in the G2 Expressway Stakes (1200m) a fortnight ago. First up off a good sixteen week break, the Commands 5yo was back to her best when from mid-field, she let down in good style to record a comfortable 1 ¼ length win. Mindful that her second up record is not flash with only one second placing from five starts however; hard to imagine she hasn’t improved again off of the Expressway effort and rates highly.
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RACE OVERVIEW
Rain Drum goes forward here and should be able to set a comfortable pace. Alma’s Fury will cross from a wide gate, as he did when successful last year, to take up a prominent position. Doesn’t appear to be a great deal of pace on paper and with rain falling in Sydney on Wednesday and showers predicted for the next few days, it could be worth taking on Boban again who has missed a place twice on slow track. Appearance is three from six on slow/heavy ground and in the Expressway, showed she’s back to form that has seen her claim three Group 1s.
- APPEARANCE
- BOBAN
- RAIN DRUM
- SPEEDINESS
