Aeliana’s spring had her pressing Via Sistina on resumption, missing only Mr Brightside next out, and lining up in the Cox Plate, but Chris Waller wasn’t completely happy with her condition.
She produced thrilling runs in competition, though the elite trainer noted she never seemed right visually.
“She ate well through the spring, her bloods were good, but she never looked well,” Waller said.
“She looked light.”
Her eating and form remained solid despite her appearance, prompting Waller to believe growth was ongoing.
Now, post-break and paddock stint, she’s back 15kg heavier and presenting much better.
“I’m much happier. She’s perfect,” he said.
“She will be very hard to beat on Saturday, as we saw first-up in the Winx (Stakes) last spring. She almost beat Via (Sistina).
As long as we didn’t overtax her. That’s my only fear, but there was no sign of it. We pulled up after the Cox Plate, and she was a bit unlucky there.”
She joins five stablemates in Saturday’s Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Randwick: exciting mare Autumn Glow and hardy gelding Lindermann among them.
The stable pinches hopes on that group of three, with Wootton Verni, Soul Of Spain and River Of Stars set to gain fitness.
Autumn Glow is the market elect at short odds, Aeliana third and Lindermann fourth, the latter after a fine spring claiming three from five.
Waller advised not to dismiss Lindermann lightly, with Nash Rawiller in the saddle.
“He’s pretty forward because first and second-up is his chance to beat the better ones,” Waller said.
“You’ve got Nash on, there’s always a Nash factor. He can always pull something out of his hat.”
For the Apollo Stakes in 2026, punters should check betting markets for the race at top online bookmakers.
The post Aeliana the embodiment of health ahead of Apollo Stakes return first appeared on Just Horse Racing.