The spotlight was on Cox Plate champion Via Sistina and rising star Ceolwulf ahead of the Group Two Apollo Stakes, but it was the ever-reliable Fangirl who stole the show at Randwick.
While the favorites kept a close eye on each other turning into the straight, Jason Collett seized the moment aboard Fangirl, surging clear to secure victory in the 1400m feature.
Charlie Duckworth, assistant to trainer Chris Waller, praised Fangirl’s consistency, noting that while she often flies under the radar, she remains a force to be reckoned with. Late betting support saw her firm into the $3.70 second favourite with wagering apps.
“Fangirl has been a champion for about three years. Because she just fluffs around doing her own thing early and flies home, people take her for granted to a degree, but she is awesome,” Duckworth said.
“Even in the call, they called Ceolwulf the youngest horse in the race and you do worry when horses get older, they might get a bit slower and the young ones can creep up on them.
“But gee, she was going to be hard to peg back today.”
Despite missing out on the win, Via Sistina and Ceolwulf both finished with a flourish, enhancing their reputations.
Front-runner Lindermann ($17) battled on gamely for second, finishing a length behind Fangirl ($3.70). Via Sistina ($2.10 fav) was a close third, just a half-head ahead of Ceolwulf ($4.80).
Via Sistina had previously won the Winx Stakes over the same 1400m distance when fresh last spring, but Duckworth suggested that this trip suits Fangirl better.
“Because she won so well first-up over 1400 last prep, I think we all just kidded ourselves into thinking she is capable of that. And yes, (with an) even run she might well have won again today,” he said.
“But her grand final is a 2000-metre race, whereas Fangirl… she is actually a miler.”
Winning jockey Jason Collett revealed his tactics during the race, feeling confident once he had Via Sistina inside him and Ceolwulf behind.
“When I was able to get Via back underneath me on the fence, I had her locked away, and I had Ceolwulf behind me I thought, ‘well, I’ve just got to wait’,” Collett said.
“I probably have the best turn of foot over 1400 so I just tried to utilise that.”
The first four finishers in the Apollo Stakes are set to meet again in the Verry Elleegant Stakes (1600m) in two weeks, with Waller likely to split Fangirl and Via Sistina in their next starts.
Fangirl could head to either the George Ryder Stakes (1500m) or the All-Star Mile (1600m), while Via Sistina is expected to target the Ranvet Stakes (2000m) before a tilt at the Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).