Before the final field has even been confirmed the glamour mare Winx is odds-on favourite to win the Apollo Stakes 2017 first-up and she looked the picture of health in a Rosehill hit-out on Tuesday morning.
Nine-time Group 1 winner Winx is ready to dominate the 2017 Apollo Stakes odds and results this Saturday in Sydney first-up. Photo: Steve Hart.
The $250,000 Group 2 Apollo Stakes (1400m) at Royal Randwick on Saturday looks likely to steal the spotlight from Melbourneâs Group 1 CF Orr Stakes (1400m) on the same day with the return of the Chris Waller-trained superstar Winx.
She was last seen posting her 13th win on the trot and second Group 1 Cox Plate (2040m) triumph by a history-making eight length margin back in October.
Since then the five-year-old Street Cry mare has had two official trials for two thirds at Rosehill, where she returned on Tuesday morning for her final piece of work ahead of the Apollo.
Once again Hugh Bowman put the nine-time Group 1 winner through her paces over 1000m where she worked alongside 2016 The BMW winning stablemate Preferment.
“She galloped in company with Preferment and had the edge over him in the concluding stages and we thought both horses worked very well,” a statement from the Waller stable confirmed.
“Hugh and Chris are both happy with where she is at this preparation and her fitness ahead of her first-up run this Saturday in the Apollo Stakes at Randwick.”
Winx won the Apollo Stakes first-up last Sydney Autumn Racing Carnival and chases back-to-back wins in the weight-for-age event for the first time since another stellar mare Sunline (2000-01).
Her record when fresh is outstanding as she is, Winx winning four of her six first-up runs to date.
Randwick holds no fears as she has enjoyed seven wins and three thirds from 11 starts at the track so far, most recently winning the Group 1 George Maine Stakes (1600m) over the mile last September.
In the latest pre-field Apollo Stakes odds at Ladbrokes.com.au she is already at $1.25 for the win.
Despite concerns Winx would ward off any potential rivals, the Apollo Stakes nominations on Monday attracted a total of 17 early entries.
Among the other headliners are the horse she worked alongside on Tuesday Preferment plus a further four for Waller, the bulk of which are returning stayers heading towards the Group 1 Sydney Cup (3200m) on April 8.
Winx will also have her autumn grand final on the same day during The Championships in the $4 million Group 1 Queen Elizabeth Stakes (2000m).
The 2017 Queen Elizabeth Stakes nominations closed this week and drew 101 hopefuls including a host of Japanese-trained raiders out to stop the Winx assault.
Second favourite meanwhile in early Apollo Stakes odds at $9 is Divine Prophet for Team Hawkes, the Choisir colt racing for the first time since his Group 1 Caulfield Guineas (1600m) win last October.
Divine Prophet also holds an entry for Caulfieldâs CF Orr Stakes, while the Lindsay Park-trained Toorak Handicap winner Heâs Our Rokkii is also a dual nominee for the same two features.
To back Winx to win the Apollo Stakes 2017 at the best possible price head to Ladbrokes.com.au now â home of Odds Boost (T&Cs apply).