Australia’s glamour girl and superstar mare Winx is back. Saturday’s Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick will be the launching pad for another big campaign. The Chris Waller-trained five-year-old has won her last 13 starts, which includes eight group 1 wins. Winx won this race last year and is expected to win again. There will also be plenty of interest in the performance of Hartnell, who could lock horns with Winx several times during the Sydney autumn carnival.
HARTNELL
Odds ($10)
Jockey: James Doyle.
Why he can: Having first start since finishing third in last year’s Melbourne Cup. He was not knocked around in 1000m barrier trial. Dual group 1 winner, plenty of class and should be hitting the line strongly.
Why he can’t: Yet to win first-up and usually takes a couple of runs to come to hand. Will not be wound up for this race.
PREFERMENT
Odds ($151)
Jockey: Jason Collett.
Why he can: Blinkers go back on, which may sharpen and has trialled twice.
Why he can’t: Yet to win under 2000m and boasts a 0-5 first-up record.
LEEBAZ
Odds ($51)
Jockey: Tommy Berry.
Why he can: returns to racing after wintering in Queensland. He hasn’t been asked to do a lot in two barrier trials. He’s twice a first-up winner and has also won this track and distance. Ran fifth to Winx in this race last year.
Why he can’t: Will probably struggle to stay in touch early. Should be running on, but will find these too slick.
LIBRAN
Odds ($81)
Jockey: Brenton Avdulla.
Why he can: Import who found best form before a spell. Won three in a row before second to Gallante in the Sydney Cup. Has trialled three times and from the Chris Waller yard so deserves respect.
Why he can’t: This race looks too short at this stage of his preparation.
DIBAYANI
Odds ($18)
Jockey: Corey Brown.
Why he can: Ran a nice race when first-up second to Sense Of Occasion in the Group 2 Villiers. Fitter for the run and was second to Hauraki in the Epsom before a spell.
Why he can’t: He’s a seven-year-old import with just two career wins and 14 placings from 26 starts. Yet to win in Australia.
MAGIC HURRICANE
Odds ($151)
Jockey: Christian Reith.
Why he can: Won the Group 1 Metropolitan in 2015 and his last run was when unplaced in last year’s Metrop. Was around the money, but didn’t come up last preparation. Has had a couple of trials to prepare for this and was not knocked around in both.
Why he can’t: At this stage of his career this trip will be too short and just finds it hard to win in top company.
ENDLESS DRAMA
Odds ($31)
Jockey: Tye Angland.
Why he can: Lightly raced European import having second Australian start. Winner at 1200m and 1600m before debuting in last year’s Mackinnon Stakes, when tailed the field home. Has run second in two Rosehill trials in the lead-up.
Why he can’t: Doubtful he is up to this class.
SACRED MASTER
Odds ($151)
Jockey: Glyn Schofield.
Why he can: Won last year’s Newcastle Cup and has trialled twice in preparation for his first-up run.
Why he can’t: This race is too short, he will be better suited over a longer trip.
SHIRAZ
Odds ($34)
Jockey: Joshua Parr.
Why he can: Fitness edge on most of these and ran on well last start when second to Ecuador in the Carrington Stakes (1400m).
Why he can’t: Last win was September 2015 and yet to win beyond 1350m.
WINX
Odds ($1.12 favourite)
Jockey: Hugh Bowman.
Why she can: Superstar mare who chases her 14th win in a row and ninth Group 1 victory. She resumed from a spell with a win in this in this race last year after a couple of barrier trials. She has again had two trials, where she was not pressured at any stage, leading into this race. Bowman should have her in the box seat from her good barrier.
Why she can’t: No reason.
AMBIENCE
Odds ($151)
Jockey: Kathy O’Hara.
Why she can: Consistent mare, who finished second in the Queensland Oaks before a spell.
Why she can’t: Out of her depth at this distance and better suited against own sex.
LASQUETI SPIRIT
Odds ($151)
Jockey: Jay Ford.
Why she can: Caused a boil over before a spell when she led all of the way to win the Victorian Oaks at $101. Has barrier trialled at Rosehill and was not knocked about.
Why she can’t: Will probably need the run and this trip is too short, better suited in longer races.
Best
1 — Winx
2 — Hartnell
3 — Dibayani
