Can Winx be beaten in the 2017 Apollo Stakes at Randwick?
CHAMPION mare Winx resumes in the Group 2 Apollo Stakes at Randwick this Saturday and bookmakers believe she can’t be beaten, but there’s a few chances in the big field.
Winx is currently -500 at Sportsbet.com.au to win her 14th consecutive race and while we’re not doubting her, there’s little value in taking the shorts and there’s plenty of class in the field.
The likes of Hartnell, Global Glamour and Divine Prophet have all been specked at odds to beat the Chris Waller-trained six-year-old and they’re not without a chance.
Punters can rule a line through the majority of the field with stayers such as Savvy Nature, Grand Marshal and Lasqueti Spirit just having runs to prepare for the autumn campaign, but that doesn’t make dissecting this race any easier.
There’s plenty of value on offer if punters are brave enough to back against Winx.
2017 Apollo Stakes all-in betting
Winx – $1.20
Hartnell – $11
Global Glamour – $11
Divine Prophet – $13
Endless Drama – $15
Dibayani – $26
He’s Our Rokki – $34
Leebaz – $51
Shiraz – $61
Ambience – $101
Libran – $101
Magic Hurricane – $101
Preferment – $126
Sacred Master – $126
Lasqueti Spirit – $126
Grand Marshal – $201
Savvy Nature – $201
Punters can get good value with Hartnell at $11 and we expect that price to firm in a touch. On the same line of betting is Global Glamour which ran well in the Magic Millions Guineas and will have the fitness edge over Winx and Hartnell.
We can’t see any money coming for the other runners. Divine Prophet and Endless Drama are capable thoroughbreds, but they will need a supreme turn-of-foot to beat the more favoured runners.
Top three chances to beat Winx
Hartnell is the obvious danger to Winx and many punters thought the imported runner could win the 2016 Cox Plate at Moonee Valley.
To its credit the John O’Shea-trained five-year-old stuck on well for second and then ran a credible third in the Melbourne Cup.
Its form prior included three consecutive wins which should give punters taking the +1000 at Ladbrokes.com.au plenty of confidence. It won the Group 2 Chelmsford Stakes at Randwick before stepping up over more ground and winning the Group 1 Turnbull Stakes at Flemington.
1400m is short of its best, but it wasn’t too far away when running second behind Winx in the Warwick Stakes over this distance and Winx could be vulnerable in a fresh up state.
Global Glamour is a smart filly from the Waterhouse/Bott stable which looks ready to take on the big names of Australian racing.
The daughter of Star Witness has yet to win over this distance, but it produced a solid showing when second behind Flying Jess in the Magic Millions, and whilst the Magic Millions doesn’t come close to being a good form guide, it has the ability to sprint.
Its back-to-back wins in the Group 1 Flight Stakes and Group 1 Thousand Guineas were nothing short of brilliant and Waterhouse wouldn’t try it at this level if she didn’t think it could win.
It will need some luck to go its way in the running, but consider taking the $11 at Sportsbet.com.au for this talented up-and-comer.
Team Hawkes lines up Divine Prophet which is fresh up having won the Group 1 Caulfield Guineas at its last start in October.
The three-year-old colt has yet to run out of its own age grade, which is the major concern, but it will have a good light weight chance against the likes of Winx and Hartnell.
The son of Choisir has the speed needed to take out the Apollo Stakes and if it can sneak a break on Winx around the home turn, it’s race on!